Kiss

Katrina Kaye

My body reacts to your touch
the way dry caked soil
responds to rain.

Sucking in,
letting you surround me.
Absorbing you
into my cracks to savor.

I am too old for
blood to taint cheeks,
but heat blisters,

an unexpected wave
spreading through entire body.

Beginning with a tickle of facial hair
and moist firm lips,
all senses surrender.

I look at your smile
and wonder how I taste.

“Kiss” is previously published in The Fall of a Sparrow (2014).

Champion

Katrina Kaye

Every night
I save you
in a hundred
different ways.

I say the
right thing;

I turn a
different corner;

I catch you.

Every night,
I bring past
to present and
relive that
last day,

only different.

I take the
gun from your
hand; I answer
the phone.

I listen,
just listen.

Every night
I am there
instead of here.

I stop
it from
happening.

Every night,
in most
precious
imagination,

I become
your champion.

“Champion” is previously published in Rabbits for Luck (2016).

Blanket

Katrina Kaye

I fold into you 

woven art

intensity of color

reflecting red flames in eyes 

memory and scent

all that has passed
disguised in fabric 

texture of wool

(like callused fingertips)

bristles skin

before offering softness

my bare arms soak you in

absorbing blanket to bone

I can feel
you under my skin 

be my comfort
and I will be yours