Noche de Piel

 

(revised, original is at bottom)






I fell asleep on the balcony            
Listening to Jamaican waters            
Hum with drums and percussion            
Neruda  whispered softly            
Melding tongues like potters            
do their clay: with passion.      
           
Plantation shutters left ajar
As twilight ships steer home
Moistened lips raged war
against this flesh and bone.
Your dark eyes captured night
Caramel skin in lamplight
           
           
We stroked rich mahogany of our four poster bed            
carved by blades of artisan masters            
silk sheets woven by nimble fingers            
and by your breath, I was fed            
as I stared up at the rafters            
The sounds of trembling linger            
           
I thought of stained glass            
And standing before the altar            
Your misty eyes--            
The sacred Mass:            
I realize
our love will last.






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Original:

I fell asleep on the balcony            
Listening to Jamaican waters            
Hum with drums and percussion            
Neruda  whispered softly            
Melding tongues like potters            
do their clay: with passion.      
           
Your caramel skin glowed under lamplight            
plantation shutters left wide            
Open so twilight ships steer home            
Your dark eyes serenaded the night            
And moistened lips that guide            
This flesh and bone.            
           
We stroked rich mahogany of our four poster bed            
carved by blades of artisan masters            
silk sheets woven by nimble fingers            
and by your breath, I was fed            
as I stared up at the rafters            
The sounds of trembling linger            
           
I thought of stained glass            
And standing before the altar            
Your misty eyes--            
The sacred Mass:            
We are altered          
You and I.