She put on her outside skin

and when the door closed behind her

she took it off

gratefully and with a

long sigh

it was only with you

she showed her true self

in its imperfect and

wanting state of longing

it was only you

she let turn the key

release those parts of her

she kept confined

standing as red as

a roadside poppy

her legs crumbling for want

her hands needing to reach out

she needed you to

claim that offered fruit

realizing the chance she took

how it was not

a natural or easy decision

but one that came slowly and

years in the making

for even girls with redolent hearts

can hold themselves

corseted against passion

waiting out the corruption

for that one person

capable of reaching their center

you

were given that chance

she felt the licking carpet fibers

the sweat on her lower back

how her once empty belly, was now

full

her breasts, heavy with the need

to be drunk from

until she was light again and

emptied of her desire

burning her up

as she swayed in your hesitation

for you did not know

the gift of her she gave

or why

ordinary responses were anathema

in that moment paused

between heaven and

earth