Iris
By: Amanda Kay Vaubel
It’s midnight on the night before you left
For California;
For your dreams,
And what would become my nightmares.
We are both awake, and I’m busy
mixing us drinks.
The taste of Jack Daniel’s, UV Blue, and Peach Schnapps
Linger in our mouths.
The rancid smell of a skunk
permeates the room.
And you Mr. Blue Eyes are still sitting there, watching me
While your small bow-shaped lips curve into a smile.
You offer me your spliff
‘cause you’re not sleepy.
Once again I decline.
We’re still up at 3:00 ‘o’ clock in the morning,
And we’re talking about the small things
In our lives;
ballet, writing, and our friends.
We’re sitting in Fartun’s living room, and you say,
‘The last time I’ll ever see snow fall,’ how wrong you are.
I’m listening to the sound of our laughter
Echo in the room.
Mine is deep, and husky.
Yours, a light tenor,
floats over mine.
Our pale bodies intertwine in a heap
As we snuggle on Fartun’s living room floor.
We wrap the skimpy blanket
around our thin frames.
My cold, pale hands trail
Across your stomach,
And pull you tight.
Fartun tells us to go to sleep,
And we both decline.
I walk outside in bare feet,
And you, being a gentleman, offer me your coat.
I happily accept the warmth
Of the leather,
And smile.
I am whispering things to you
Try to sleep.
Sadly, our voices and the screen door awaken Fartun.
‘Guys, I don’t want to get kicked out of my apartment.
Please, it’s late. Just go to sleep.’
So, to appease her
We go inside,
And lay under the blanket.
all the while whispering about our plans for sex.
‘After she goes to sleep?’ you say.
I nod my head. ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment all day.’
I trace your bottom lip with my tongue
And gradually switch to my lips.
I pull your bottom lip gently at first
And pull harder as we continue.
My lips leave yours
And I bite the tender spot between your neck
And shoulder.
You roll me on top of you, and start to put on the black condom,
But first you ask, ‘do you want to put it on?’
I say, ‘no, I’ve never actually put one on someone before.’
We both blush, and you roll it down to your base.