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pErhaPs iF we unDerstood DesIre

Kelli Russell Agodon

It's early and I've found       what we love
is sometimes silenced by        what we also love

not because the moon is the problem
but because two moons are       a galaxy
dazzling with fullness
but you can't keep a universe to yourself

sometimes you have to return
a gentle planet to its shelf

not because             you were too greedy
but because             tenderness is not for sale

it's early so I tiptoe through my sins
not because I'm thoughtful of others
sleeping but because I wouldn't mind

living in a world with two moons
I wouldn't mind slipping a few satellites
into my pocket instead of a life
with limited lunary events

tenderness is wholesale and it wants me
to pull it from the shelf       tenderness
has a voice box                 tenderness keeps

saying close your eyes          close your eyes
tenderness will not turn off