Off Beat

 

You ask me to trust you

babe, show me 

• a gentle kiss at the start
• fuzzy blankets wrapped around my shoulders
• the TV turned off when we talk

 

don’t forget to

• • • • • • • • ask “if it’s okay to—”
              • listen between the silences
              • believe (in) me

 

and maybe we’ll make it to

• • • • • • • • • • • • • lap naps
                        • snug hands
                        • foreheads touching

eyelashes dancing

lips nipping

 

slow and steady

‘cause we need no race

 

and words move too

• • • • • • • • • • “it’s okay if you’re not okay”
                  • “I’m still here when you’re ready”
                  • “thank you”

 

just gotta get used to

• the cinnamon in your cologne
• crying on a hot chest
• wearing your ash-flecked hoodie

loosely

 

love is a game we can’t afford

to cheat

so hold me with your wide brown eyes

let me move closer— skin to skin

a goal race

and give to me what I lost to another

with true blue words for a scarlet kiss

 

Signed

Leona Wilde