The Listening

no. 25: safety

Here in my bed we make jokes.
(Jokes are safe, right?)
About what my parents would say about the marks on your neck
(Given to you by another man)
About what my parents would say about how I'm not wearing pants
(The heat was unbearable)
We talk about what my parents would think if they walked in on us,
together in my bed.
Here in my bed we are not safe.
We are not safe from feelings
We are not safe as our legs intertwine
We are not safe as I lie in your arms
As I lie about how I feel for you
But my face is so close to your neck
My lips brush it as I speak
And I can feel your heart beat faster
You squirm as I breathe into your ear
And we're holding each other close
Here in my bed
We are safe and we are not safe
Because my emotions are spilling over
So much so that I think I see you have them too.
And that can't be true.