Arches

Under the arches of your lip
You breathe out coffee, bacon, popcorn, candy scents
We mingled breaths between us
when we kissed
I tasted happiness…and industry…and fear
I tasted wild death

You must have bathed your hands
In the blood of the wild hog you caught
Your gang of brothers closed their eyes
and joined the rite
Your heart, like others, cast aloft
Erect with equal parts damnation and design

And while your body could not transmit
all of that power
Your eyes shot open wide
and you sought that figure of your imagination
who might receive
The outpouring of your imaginary strength
In your mind, you ran and leapt at him
In dauntless fashion, bowed your back
and beat him ’til he slept

Having borne the sword of justice that you wrought
You lose you grip; your trembling hands cannot
hold their strength
The rite has passed and mourning comes
Under the arches of your brow