that touch of yours is as 

dangerous as

I’d expected.

— timid hands begging to be held,

stroked,

loved

in a lightless room where

no one

can hear our thoughts and

my weakness is concealed.

And I know that when I do

press your gentle palm  against my own  for the first time

I will feel too much to think at all.

about infidelity-

about identity-

about selfishness–

and I will have to swallow

that dripping desire

that I try to

ignore

“Restraint” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Self-reflection by Jenn Mann & Flux by Sarah Cannon