Love Poem for the Husband Away
standing in the bathroom this morning
a knowing towels over my naked body:
he is coming home
it is the only way my body moves
through the doings without his body in reach
he is coming home
I exhale the violent worries of his demise
the thoughts that keep my guts toiled
he is coming home
my nipple reaches for his tongue
his side of the bed impatient
he is coming home
this torrential love of ours
lifetimes practicing in sacred trust
he is coming home
I steady myself against the glass shower door
the cold shocks the skin on my shoulder blade
he is coming home
VANESSA SHIELDS 