"Skin on Skin"

by Stephanie Drinkard

Skin on skin
With starlight slanting silently across
     --I can hear your heart beat.
Says one or the other
     but no specifics or particulars.
Two lovers; each other's
Body and soul
Entwined so tightly there remains
     no difference.
     Minds mingle
Enmeshed with thoughts of scent, and sensation --
     --What are you thinking?
Only of you -- or us -- or nothing at all.
     dreams of a future
As nobodies -- important to no cause, no purpose
Free, then, of constraint;
Slaves only to themselves -- their own needs
Carnal wants, wishes, and potential.
     Greatness dwells
between their hearts
in that cave made of their arms
     the joint spark
     of what will be
     someday.

c. 1997