Cherries (I.P.)

And when I looked at you, I knew.
You knew I knew. Abashed, you smiled
and, breaking the spell of silence,
said my lips were red as cherries.

The town's Christmas icicle-lights not lit,
crested buildings of proud sandstone
A giddy chase through frozen streets,
our cold cheeks red as cherries.

And moonlit walks, and shared umbrellas,
Making pastry, dancing, laughing.
You tilt your face to mine, like this,
your kisses sweet as cherries.

Cheek to cheek, you said you'd never found
someone who made you feel this way.
Turns out you had a thing for girls
with lipstick red as cherries.

Craving, empowering, breathing
ghosts of kisses on my shoulders
as if to heal the delirious frenzy
of three love-bites red as cherries.

Love's sweeter still than any fruit
I pray it remains absolute
Breathe the cherry-breeze; at peace
With the one I'll always cherish.