sotto voce

I let my voice float across the room

to where you are sitting pensively

it shakes with vibrato and nerves

climbing the semi-tones smoothly

one hand gripping my leg

     

that beautiful woman, with the almond eyes

do you know who I’m singing of?

and holding the thought warm in my mind

you catch my gaze, sensing me

both of us unable to look away

I breathe, then swallow, my throat dry

refusing to blink 

you can’t make me back down

there’s only one place I’ll give in

which of course you know, smiling serenely

later, after reaching my final cadence

we speak in hushed tones, close enough 

to feel the heat on your body

close enough, to stroke my hand 

unable to pass it off as an accident 

a hand that makes me weep

my skin singing to a different melody

a hand that teaches me things

which cannot be instructed in a classroom 

your diligent pupil always

you sing too, when I am finished with you