Secrets for the Young

He pulls a pillow from the couch

slips it beneath her head

on the floor

ribs press lightly against

ribs

through cloth

tell me.

he kisses her cheeks

her neck

throat

lips. but she keeps them closed

tell me.

she won’t kiss back until he does

because he has a secret

guess.

he is scared now

to say it

tell me.

she lies still

mouth clamped

stubborn

i love you

she lifts her head

from the pillow and kisses

him back

i love you too