And The Beast

And The Beast

Stand. Hands braced against the wall
Glow in the darkened room and wait
Illumined by the moon. Window wide
Unshuttered invitation. Close your eyes

I draw a talon down your back to score
A spiral in your skin. Entwine the spine
And count the vertebrae. Draw no blood
Scales rasp, I brush hair from your neck

Patience. The night is warm and long
Anticipation stiffens our resolve.
Claws slide. Radius, ulna to ribs;
Weight. Heat between your skins

Flex and part. A subtlety, a welcome
I push across the threshold
Guided by your utter stillness
Enveloped, enveloping and still

A gasp. A sigh.
A night breeze through the trees.

Deniable. No sweat, no ruffled sheet
Hard breath to break the silence.
Nor sign, except a score upon your spine
Faded at dawn