the veiled beloved

I told her

these words are yours

so too the voice that speaks them

the tongue that sharpens them

my lips, diving board of every kiss, are yours
 the curve of this spine, the hollow in my throat

the spaces between my fingers, every line on my palms

the calluses on my hands and feet are yours

so too the soft skin beneath.
The stories of my stitches and the poetry of these scars
are yours, so too this borrowed heart.

Every living hair on my body remembers your touch.

 For each tear you lent me, I cried another in joy.

Every crease around my eyes, every furrow in my brow

tries to tattoo your name in Persian calligraphy.