I was a Prophet without Mouth and Tongue
“skin redolent with unspoken kisses” ~ Jaime Mathis, “Passion,” It Rises and Falls
His skin and veins were pocked. Cocaine had left
Its scab-like potholes and ruined entry
Attempts like craters, scarred up ones. The heft
Of drugginess defies love as sentry
Or as protection. Wounds all over him,
On forearms, biceps, in the hairy crotch
Beneath his balls and in the crazy whim
Of spider veins beneath his butt, its swatch
Of manly hair: these horrors should have been
Where kisses left their marks. His fellow dopes
Had lips that could not heal, and mine, so keen,
Were not allowed to bring him scabless hopes.
..He knew, he knew my silenced lips desired
….Salvation for him. He was not inspired.