Top five body parts

Top five body parts

I can’t quite recall
the moment you stopped being some dickhead in a pub
and we became this
which is -
something your fingers instinct is to touch.

My feet tuck under your long limbs
as we squeeze our bodies into boats, hammocks, sofas
and try to have our first serious conversation.

I’m going through this hard to impress phase
which is why I'm impressed
that you seem to have impressed me.
You have no mystery about you
so, like a cat at a dog convention,
I quit being aloof
I’m fooling no one
so take a chance and shed my mystery too.

There are things you don’t need to know
my top five films
my top ten albums
but it’s not as interesting
as the way your hands span two of mine
and your laugh makes history out of stolen moments in time.
You could tell me about all the books I need to read
and I could paint my past in oils around us
but with limbs like yours
that like to be light
I’ve found you’re better
when we keep on the move.

Without the weight of greatest thoughts I've less to prove
there are things to lose
but nothing that can’t be snapped back with elastic hedonism
and the thwack of a snare drum
dancing beat-to-beat with the booze.

It’s as if you’ve seen me without clothes
or in photos as an ugly child
or in a rubbish play, dressed as a horse
I’m exposed – but in a good way.

The serious conversation fades
as miles above us blue slips behind grey
you take my silence as a cue to leave
but my fingers touch your arm – stay
I can curl up beside you and admire what rain might touch:
your lovely limbs, too long for sofas.