Tonight

And now,

a burst of color. You

stun me with your unpredictability.

You held me up beneath

the lamp by the beach:

the deep tan of your skin -unblemished-

caught the light and gleamed.

Perfectly symmetrical, you started

at a point, and curved downwards

in opposing directions, forming the kind of

heart you only see on Valentine's

Day cards. Unusual,

for one of your kind.

I took the chance. Brought

you to my lips, which grew red

in the reflection of your eyes;

and bit.

Which came first? The crunch of your

peel breaking, or the taste

of sweetness in my mouth, I

can't say. Perhaps they both happened

at the same time, it matters not. This

much I know now.

I could not have stopped it - nothing

could have stilled, or slowed

the jealous meandering of your

venom through my blood. It snaked

its way past

the white lines of my defenses and

would not stop until it

quelled my pounding heart.

And then,

it all changes. Everything,

everyone just disappeared.

I knew what I had to say;

"Don't go. Stay with me tonight."