yours

[to verdad]

one night
i shivered
you offered me
the old sweater
you were wearing.
i said you looked a mess.
you smiled,
"don't you like me
any way i am?"

you draped it
over me,
"i love you,"
drew
its uneven edges
together,
enfolding me.

"it still has his smell,"
i remarked,
catching the man scent;
on the collar;
a couple of his hairs.

"i wrap
him in it
when he's cold."
you said,
as if reflecting.
"it's given
to you for warmth,
honey."

you kissed me,
arms encircling,
held me
wrapped in him;
"this is us,
baby."
i saw
love
in your eyes,
what your require.

now, enclosed,
as i am
so often,
the scent rises.
"him."
"yes."
unsettled, i think,
why do i
want your comfort
only for me?

you read
my thought:
"you're mine,
honey;
don't you have
all the comfort,
you need?"
"yes my love."
"then you yield,
as a matter of place?"
"yes, love."

"just as a dog,
before his walk,
sees his owner
feed the cat.
he does not
understand
the care;
he simply waits.

"after the walk,
the owner
leaves the dog
to his own.
reads a book. the cat curls
at his feet,
the dog joins,
lies down,
at peace."

i'm warmer.
thoughts tumble.
your look says,
"you understand
as much as
you need."
i nod.
strange shivers,
relieved.

you hold me
against you,
within your limits.
my heart, the room
comprehended by
the walls
you built,
accessed
by the door
you made
to enter me.