Teach My Kiss to the Cactus

Michael Channing

she bathed in the dirt of 27 states
stomped the dust of oregon into mississippi mud
bled california wounds into bourbon street rum
texas tears melted appalachian snow
the sky rolled like a funhouse barrel
and she fell tumbling to unfold at my feet

over my shoulder the moon calls you closer
but for a moment
let me trace the map etched into your eyes
let me kiss the speckled american sky
let me taste the sweat of the blacktop river
let me hold the scent of prairie grass
for a moment
then teach my kiss to the cactus waiting in the desert
to snag the thread of your sleeve

Main       Stories       Poems       Lyrics       Comics       Essays