Love collects

I remember the look in your eyes 

When you take me along for that little togetherness and love

Love, where your thoughts are changing and mine dress each clothesline 

That hangs from buildings 

And you find me reconciled to memories and names 

I see you ebb away to posters and people around

I realised the mistake each time and bit my lips within 

Why do I do this to you?

When you love me like no one ever loved me 

When you loved me with pronouns and epithets 

With so much patience 

With the impenetrable and unseen 

With clove eyes and gumption 

I know you love me to outcomes and unsaid

Our language has touched in laughter and impalpable sighs

Our bodies don't speak

They have lost their voice 

Or perhaps you want me to ask you to split and join my other half?

Like spilled memories across my pillow 

You have been absorbing all that I inhabit 

All that is unpolished 

All that has forgotten grace and dance.

I once wanted you to hold the words 

To hold us together in faith and grace 

I realise I ask too much of you 

You too have me in unchained loving 

So last night when you called and 

Butterflies gushed over my mouth and cleavage 

You stared and withheld

I wanted to draw you to vision and the irrefutable 

Love is obscene 

Of you not so hesitant and planting commandments

And me riding over memories and insisting 

Spring and shadows serene

Under your eyes 

The muscles flexed 

And You let go of butterflies to aquatic hues

In an insomniac night 

Love collects in blushes and denials.

Painting by Lynn Noelle Rushton