waiting for the ticking bomb to detonate
before i exhale
capture the spoiled image of me
and reimburse me for its effect with a kiss
you said, ‘i looked pitiful’
and those were the kindest words uttered
as i was a complete fool for you
i thought you’ve never noticed
i thought you’ve forgotten
but there
you held me in time
your lips, my lips, one
and i vanished
diving into every fiber of your touch

© simon whittle — from lovers’ tiff: a ballad