Natalie Swanson
a familiar fragrance invades my nostrils
for the briefest of moments, its
a peculiarity an anomaly
i ponder its origin for days
resorting to wretched memories
scorned dreams
the starry array on my ceiling glances at me begging for an answer.
i whisper “be still, it won’t be long”
and from the deepest depths
prized recollections only to be seen once in a lifetime
out of the wicked vault
emerges your scent.
the little infinity flashes before me
everything and nothing,
the nerve endings of my lips awaken
to recall the first graze we shared
of honey lime and salt
sweat dripping from our brow
shallow breaths and hollow hands
intestines crawling through my throat
i utter your name out loud
like a gauche Shakespeare
the formation of letters has lost its ease
back on the bike after years of running,
recalling pierces my dreams.
i hear you cry my name
sing my name
chant my name whisper it coo it
years of hopeless devotion
not a single thought on my mind besides
the closest moment i had to proclaim you
and it’s now in the blank space of heaven and earth.