Thirsting

by Isis Zystrid

Illustrated by Shelly Kay

one must at times

put their pin on one side of the map

while keeping others at a safe distance,

but can you forgive me

for thirsting for you

in the night?

i was the hollow of a

slowly made violin,

vibrating and filled

with your skillful ease.

it could be that i shouldn’t admit

with my curiosity

that i longed for the rhythms

that you would sweep

from my outer

to my inner shell.

perhaps it is best

to deny so many things in life,

by not outright defensiveness

but just stubborn inaction.

i shouldn’t still

allow you to curl

my ribbons with your

guiding blade,

perchance i should have existed quietly

unlike every arena of my life.

i cannot blame myself for wanting

the fresh water,

the fresh air

of your eye contact

to my lack of reticence–

i cannot justify the

insincere etiquette

of paying so much mind

to these corks

in the barrel.