afterwards

afterwards

on your palms
and soles of feet
on your back
and white of thighs
in your hair
and down your spine
i carve with my tongue:
there will be no regrets today.

with one smooth motion,
we are children no more.
with one painful tear,
we are innocent no more.

on your breath
and across your jaw
on your lips
and bridge of nose
in your pupils
and down your chest
i make out the words:
there will be no regrets today.

with the coming light,
we wake from sleep,
with tired hearts and tired minds,
we walk apart unwilling.

in your eyes
and your open palm
on every exhale
and every footstep away
on every half-smile,
and your crinkled brow
i read:
there are nothing but regrets today.