Bring Me Back

by Kristen Granata

“We all carry around the weight of our traumas and try to survive. We do what we have to in order to cope.” I glance up at the night sky. “It’s not us who’s fucked up. Life is fucked up.”

“No. That’s not what I meant at all. Your body is… you’re…” My feet slow on the porch, and I turn around to meet his worried gaze. He scratches the back of his neck as his eyes trail down my body. “I mean, you’re perfect.”

“When you have darkness inside you, it helps you recognize darkness in others.”

“You might not feel like a phoenix, but I’m starting to think you’re my phoenix.”

“I yearn for you. My fingers itch to reach out and touch you. My tongue craves your taste. I want you on me, your hair surrounding me, your scent filling my lungs.” He pulls me close, and his lips speak against mine as he says, “I ache for you everywhere. It takes all of my willpower not to devour you whenever we’re together.”