The Ghost of Our Last Kiss

Why do some memories imprint so vividly in my mind?

Most need a sign to resurface –

A song or a joke, a smell or a smile.

They come and go, momentarily halting my life,

Pulling me into another world — mostly happy, always kindling.

But this one; this one is special.

It is kindling and exhilarating.

It is wrenching and igniting.

It is heartbreaking and heartwarming.

It is beautiful and terrifying.

It is hunger or love, thirst or lust

And it is all of the above.

It needs no song, nor joke, neither smell nor smile.

It comes when it pleases, mostly taking me by surprise.

It has my mind taking extraordinary

Leaps of imagination –

For I feel your warmth on my skin

Your hand clutching my neck

My hand against your chest

Oh lord, the taste of your lips

The fire in this stomach of mine

The racing heart, the revealing eyes

The salt in your tears,

Or were they mine?

I drown in the solemnity of the kiss,

and the sincerity of that moment.

The moment when our bodies knew,

As did our hearts, even as the brains denied

The impending end of our love.