Midnight's Request

At midnight's request, a reward
she opens her yellow shirt
thin shiver delicate bone, white phalanx
ripple of a cotton current
convex camber of flesh
bloodless, and gibbous
cadaverous
   but for the blue quillwork of threaded veins
lace path through a light snow

temporal nipple, a russet copper brooch
at rest reserve's enchanting fawn
to her, a mirth
to me, rapture

I have not reached with fingers so hungry
   such a height before
breathless in zealous want
integers so hellish a thirsty indignation
a cipher so very easily decoded
my intent an arrow's flight
as from Heaven absconded
I fell into that warm auburn twilight
her uncovered teardrop
a salty feast.

TA