Not Safe for Consumption

Many poets describe love as an act,

not of consummation, but of consumption

each of us waiting like a pack of schoolgirls

backstage at a Justin Timberlake concert

to be wholly devoured by the kisses and caresses of our lover.

 

But eating is not an act of worship

have you seen emulsified fat?

smelled gastric juices?

stick two fingers down your throat and see what comes out

Is that really what you want to do

to the curves under your tongue?

 

We may be dating

but I’m still using this body,

and all its nutrients and internal organs.

I’m not a bag of goldfish.

 

I don’t mean to sound upset,

I can see why you’d want a bite of this

but darling, don’t you know

that every quivering golden sponge cake,

every wet stream of chocolate ganâche

ends up as your s**t.

the bedroom is not a kitchen

 

but let us not conclude

that the kitchen is not a bedroom

Come on, baby,

my fingers know the fold of batter

and I bet you’d whip up a great meringue

 

we can bake whole realms of taste

ruled by our tongues

they’ll still turn to s**t

but afterwards

we can wrap up in each other

talk about how good dinner was

taste it all over again on each other’s lips

 

I promise not to eat you

because you’re too pretty

all in one piece.

Can you extend the same favor?

Reviews

[Mia]

wow, this is super. I can't even think of the words I want to describe it this late at night, but I love it