Stained Skin

The kiss and press of syllables
caught between the breath and stare

Immersed in the flow over lips
whose parting causes
the shiver

Trace the outline of your words
running fingertips over quivering peaks

Stain the skin
with soul imprint

Your voice is the wind upon the walls that stirs the silk and warms the chill

Taste with me the spill of moon and heat of stars

To etch
that which
remains

Scratch is flint to stone
spark
sacrifice of verse on eager skin

A sacred fire will not consume
but heat inspire
crack the ice and cause
the thaw

Dressed as canvas to waiting frame
parchment to quill
once bound in the ties that bind
now unfurl, spill

Once seared, the mark lingers
reminding of all that burns

Pour becomes
elixir
to saturate the soul