FEATURE

valentine

BY EMILY OLORIN

 

I slip inside you,

Unnoticed,

slinking into your mucous membranes,

sinking deep into your nerves.

Once we are together

you will carry me in you

For the rest of your life.

 

I love you, my darling host,

I show you my love

with blooms on your skin

Red roses, purulent and painful

Lines of my love encircling

your ribs,

your hips.

 

Not just once, my love,

But over and over

For as long as you have;

For as long as we have.

My love for you

does not fade like a lovers

It lingers deep inside of you

Setting your nerves alight.

 

Pain?

The pain I cause

is the pain of love,

Deep and searing

Commanding you to focus only on me

 

Even my name on your lips

“Varicella”

sounds like benediction

the pealing of church bells.

 

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