your name's sake

There was no question
we had to have the ocean,
so we threw off our clothes and inhibitions
and we ran into the freezing water
the evening demanded it of us.

for a few moments you swam off
'mesmerised by the sun' you said
I celebrated the independent pursuit of your caprice
like your name's sake you were
taken by the sky

we emerged from the water
dripping, stumbling and unclothed
wet hair clinging to our flushed cheeks

we wrapped ourselves in picnic blankets
and sat in a row facing the sinking sun
bore witness to the waning light,
the melting sky

and as I sat there
eating sandy oranges
that you peeled and segmented
with your long dexterous fingers

you spoke of Sirens
of ships being drawn to rocky shores

did you know
you that you enchant me?
winged woman
red feathers and golden limbs
did you know that your presence draws me in?

notes from degraves

Adventure

I didn’t want an adventure
not tonight
I just wanted to spend the night with you
I just wanted to feel safe

Of course
Of course I understand
it's me. that is what I do.

How I know

It’s not warm
there’s no want to touch
there’s not much looking
I just think you sort of don’t care
not caring... it’s in your posture
and in your gait

A drunk poet at the Drunken Poet

Red wine

sitting back to the bar
legs crossed
lean back
eyes closed

Theresa

Wore a cherry dress
black head scarf
and no shoes
it should have been sublime

Green car

I saw your face as you walked in
i shrugged my shoulders
you sort of hugged me
you were sort of sorry
we drove home sort of silent
in your mum’s green car

A room away

So you put the sleeping bag on the couch
as I brushed my teeth
and I heard your goodnight
from a room away

Gut

by strong lamplight without pants
Knees bent up near my chin
chest still trembling
with a neglected tea
and words in my gut

How

How can there be so much between us
but none of it I can feel here

Wet Hair

She came over
I wasn't wearing pants,
she wasn’t wearing a shirt
she hugged and kissed me goodnight
she was sorry
I held her close and felt her care
her wet hair pressed damp against my mouth

I needed that from you
I needed you to be the one in wet rugby shorts and a sports bra
with care knitted across your face