settled beside me, deprived and hungry
you knew how to get me rattled
open the jar and let my butterflies scatter
my restraints perish in your begging eyes
the fight, an overwhelming battle
to keep my composure and delight
you nestle under my arm for a moment
the fever you implore
hoping you could ignite the fire
and you lit the flame
but i did not dare to reach out and touch you
the caution was greater than the ban
the fear that set your skin off-limits
but you would press to my side
holding out your hands for me to catch
twist your finger around mine
the mime who spoke volumes with stealth acts
a gentle graze, a gentle brush
to embrace the scent of my skin
and wake it from its slumber

© jacob greb — from lovers’ tiff: a ballad