Battlefield

I am not afraid of you.

My voice is loud

and true

for all your linear correct.

You,

who are more broad-backed and leather-skinned,

are no match for me.

I am great.

I am mighty.

I am unafraid.

But

for the sake of the argument

let's say that I'm white-knuckling my way

through this first page.

let's say

the Richter scale

doesn’t register my quake.

Let’s say

for the sake of fairness

that you're scared too.

I mean,

Let’s look at the reality:

I'm defacing you

like a New York subway.

And maybe you don't even like my graffiti!

For however contemporary and new-age I may

envision my talents,

you could think I was tripping on 'shrooms

and my own two left trains of thought

when I started this!

Honestly,

I just wanted to get through this first date

with no awkwardness,

but that's like asking Michael Vick

to successfully run an animal shelter.

Let me say

I dig the lines on your face.

I do, I genuinely do,

because you haven't had any work done.

I promise,

When I take you home,

to hold you tight.

To open you only in private

gently

Just fingertips

nothing else

just little furtive

glances

my mouth

will spit speech that’s only

marginally comprehensible

But listen anyway

Because I’ll mess up any way

You slice it.

Just listen,

You’ll like what I have to say

Listen.

We will get through this.

Just let me love you.

And I promise

that I will hold your spine

like a newborn breath

I will press one point

Just one

Against you.

That came out way worse

Than I meant,

But I mean to say

I will create new life

With you!

I will show you my best angles.

Let’s say

We were meant to be together.

Puzzle-crooked and lock-aware.

Let’s say it.

Out loud.

Say it.

Say it to me.