Street Kiss

S    T    R    E    E    T    K    I    S    S

by Zane Rivera

photograph by Nina Sederholm


This is the one kiss dared together --
a small exposure of flesh that wordlessly speaks
for all the other flesh left unkissed.
This press and resilience collapsing into 
one moment
that strains to be longer
more intense because it may never be longer.
This slight moisture tempting passage into
an opening that may never be entered.
These tongues, almost tasted, that may only laugh 
and sip and make words fit for public
ears and shapes fit for public eyes.

This is the kiss that must seal all passions away,
this very act that begs to break all seals wide open,
this first stroke that should open onto all the greater sacred acts.

This small allowance replayed over and
over    later    alone:
The lean into each other made slower
the kiss slower
every part of the lips felt yet again
their wetness delirium.
All senses converge again and again
on fingers screaming to caress hidden flesh
on eyes burning to caress hidden flesh
on nostrils gasping to inhale
even just one molecule wafting from 
that hidden flesh.