Mark Was Here

It was a 12-hour love story

Laced with “I’m not that kind of girl.”

Tender words and clasped hands by the duck pond –

I could tell you wanted to kiss me.

We followed the stream

Away from the strangers

Deep into darkness, into trees and stars

To solitude lit by one lonely light.

I settled into the space you made.

Nerves, chill, anticipation.

Your confident hands calmed my shaking.

My hand, my arm, my waist, my cheek –

And me in awe that you wanted to touch me.

I laid my innocence at your feet

An offering on the altar of your lips

I wouldn’t have believed it was more than a dream

If you hadn’t bitten a signature into the guest book of my neck –

In violet ink –

“Mark was here.”