DEEPER
He poured it in her ear, the idea
of him on top, slowing time down
to enter her, convincing her
that everything would stay between them,
with his back to the air
and her bottom on the mattress,
their motions surrounded by
the smell of love and fabric softener.
She wanted him behind her, a position
of trust, tossing aside suspicions
of what he might do behind her back
and how easily he could hide
who else he might be thinking of.
But he did not want to look over her shoulder,
he wanted to be in her eyes,
moving his hips in slow clock-
wise
rotation,
making the cold stone expression
on her face crumble.
She'd been wearing her countenance that way
since the first day they met,
after one lover refused to stay inside her
and another was so indecisive, she was forced
to mount the problem and dominate.
But no more.
And she cried because he did everything
he said he would do to her
but when he was finished, he did not leave.
--Quentin Huff
GHAZAL
You with the dark burly hair and the breathtaking eyes,
your inquiring glance that leaves me undone.
Eyes that pierce and then withdraw like a blood-stained sword,
eyes with dagger lashes!
Zealots, you are mistaken - this is heaven.
Never mind those making promises of the afterlife:
join us now, righteous friends, in this intoxication.
Never mind the path to the Kaabah: sanctity resides in the heart.
Squander your life, suffer! God is right here.
Oh excruciating face! Continual light!
This is where I am thrilled, here, right here.
There is no book anywhere on the matter.
Only as soon as I see you do I understand.
If you wish to offer your beauty to God, give Zebunisso
a taste. Awaiting the tiniest morsel, she is right here.
--Zebunisso (1639-1706)
AMANTE
A waterfall of hair
cascades
down your shoulders.
Silence breathes us,
butterflies
in our hands.
Our dinners
half eaten
packed for later.
A five star meal
relished
on our warm spines.
While we languish
on rented sheets.
No bickering moments,
dismal doubts,
or monotonous chores
shudder our cloistered moments.
Eternity is not
a diamond ring.
It is here.
--Grace Ezequiel
