Rough Draft #1

It Was Not Sex

It was not Sex1
that built the bond
two hearts pulsing in unisonit was
chest hair, ketchup, and sore ribs.

It was soft and stubbly hair against my

Ear as sleep made your chest rise and fall;

It was the devious sparkle in your eyes as

we battled over whether ketchup or mustard is the
superior condiment;

It was dense fingers jabbing me into the Salsa, and

A flutter of laughter, tears streaming from eyes;

It was not sex but the you and me.

Rough Draft #2
1 Reference from Thom Gunns The Hug, a poem about two men cuddling.

It was not Sex

(After Thom Gunns The Hug)

it was not sex

it was devious

that turned me on
your mouth

it was ketchup

how it hugged

it was breath

the corners

when you smiled

air

mouths corners

filled with

rising from bed

shadow

latent buns

muffled voice

morning
bluffing

it was the guilt

a straight

i know you hold

breath hot

8a.m.

Sparkled eye

a pair of kings

us

Rough Draft #3
It was not Sex
(After Thom Gunns The Hug)

I could feel your big head throb with excitement,

learning the bones of my bones,
oxytocin and vasopressin,
our chemical love.

I could feel your dimples deepen as you stole third.

White Angels knickers stained
as you slid into home.

I could feel your lie cross its fingers as you bluffed a straight,
when I knew you held onto a
pair of kings.

I could feel your morning breathe whisper I love you,

As your leg hair promised
To never let me
go.