Alpha and Omega (Les Bises).

Alpha and Omega (Les Bises)

   The other stood squarely on the ground,
   I forget what his arms were doing
   Or mine, our clothes were light--
   It was all so light, and in the lobby.

   People watched, lightly: I didn't see
   Them, or anything.  I think I closed
   My eyes, thinking this is the first time
   And the last time. And must be light

   Or I'll fall down.  I remember how light
   His lips were on my left cheek, so light
   It must have taken power: only gravity
   Could bend such light. And even so

   Both lips printed me completely, as light
   Would: evenly, thoroughly, weightlessly.
   And breathlessly, so no wind even of breath
   Could topple us, and no pause interrupt

   This first and last. I took my turn, the other cheek
   Was mine but I missed, and my mouth
   Outside convention stumbled, weightless still
   And fell like a damp feather on his neck

   Below the jaw, beneath the ear
   Which heard nothing from a kiss so light
   It could have been imagined. Who though
   Would have imagined it falling there?

   Outside convention, where the artery
   Full of bright blood, darkened by skin,
   Throbbed as it might have throbbed
   If in the dark a star had fallen, suddenly.