Afterward

After the melded flesh,
the mingled sweat,
frantic breath and interblended moans;

After we had coupled,
like frantic beasts,
fighting to consume each other’s souls;

When we came floating down
to our bodies,
resting again in our own psyches;

When our world contracted,
our fevers cooled,
and boundaries settled into place;

Then we knew again we were alone.