Testing the waters

Twisting and turning
wet burns
and sick churnings
about and out: in and in
split along the sides and double
back in
see it from all sides
feel the ride
slide and glide
linked rings
fingers stuck
singing
in lingering flings of words
up floating among chirping birds
open flap of a water skin
quenching over and over
as the heart opens
and sings
the pleasant grooves
of the camel's hooves
feel it again
again and again
till the warm wave
explodes
and folds under
the exposed wonder
of your flushed cheeks
and tender skin