Inventing New Emotions

Written December 2023, Revised January 2023

Notes: N/A

When we first put our lips together, it was very similar to being alive
I prodded your jaw with my clumsy fingers, you wrapped yours in my wiry hair
We moved with each other in the shadows, as the sun rose and set outside,
the beasts began to graze and the insects crawled into our bed with us.

You were warm. You are still.
I sleep on top of you and you on top of me,
feeling skin upon skin upon skin
Happy, without words to say it

You placed your hand against mine, pressed upon the stone,
and I laughed at you like wind in my lungs.
Red stain was sticky beneath our fingernails,
printed like a signature on our wall.
I touched our mouths together and red got on my shoulders, on your back, in our bed.

We ate together. We held each other and watched the stars
You knot the twine around my spear like only you can,
trekked over grassland and rock,
I ignited heat for you, rolled in our only home.

You bled for me, pebbled skin and rough hands,
gashes open and starving and red as the paint on our walls.

You keeled, clutching your stomach.
You staggered and became cold.
I leaned over you, put my lips against yours,
and it was very similar to death.