they
stand
belly to belly
thigh to thigh
they are not
young
but
they cannot be
old
for
they look to be
younger
than
i
maybe not
still
they are not
young enough for
passion
to be the force that
binds
them thus
no
though there has
been and will be
passion
it is not here
it is not now
it is not in
the way she
falls
lightly but
hopelessly
against
his dirty shirtfront
it is not in
the way he
curls
tightly but
languidly
’round
her muffin-topped
waist
as though it were
night
and not noon,
bed
and not parking lot,
love
and not
desperation
© s rogers 3 march 2011
