trout

Charm

I’ll ride your smile
into the night. Here,

take the nails
from my index fingers
for security: I’ll come

back. Carefully
adjust your kiss
until it slips

under this collar
bone. Open

my body: pick
the rib that carries
the curve of your breast—

set
that bone between
an oak and an elm

as a cradle
for our child.

9–10.12.1988, Church Square, Christchurch