a poem by Melodie Barker

The Math of Longing

Two at the computer
working on work
as his mouth parts
lip pressing the lip
of his coffee cup
she longs to follow
the liquid swallowed
with her tongue
down neck to chest
untying responsibility
unbuttoning commitment
instead she shifts
studying a spreadsheet
that always adds up
to one.

© by Melodie Barker

 
Gutter Eloquence Magazine ~ Issue #5 ~ September 2009