A History of Sex

mike swanberg

It occurred first by accident, as though in a cartoon.

A man who loves a woman wishes to see every inch of her
and, since she loves the way he whines, she undresses.

There isn’t much beautiful about her shape,
except that she opens herself before him.
And though her breasts are nothing, and her stomach embarrasses,
he puts his full weight on her because he believes he can.

Until they find themselves in the act and realize maybe they are scared.

His mouth not even thinking to close,
her hands wanting so much touch, and their breath ,
short and warm like an july night.

She wants him to pin her legs up, so she asks:
Will you pin my legs up with your arms?
He wants to make her happy,
So he does it one arm at a time.

Of course, that is alright, she answers after he asks.

But he thinks now, for the first time, that maybe he wants control of her terribly.
Maybe he will hold her legs up until they hurt her,
never stopping this act that she has allowed be his.
Taking as much from her as he can, almost lewd.
His teeth barred his mind a days drive away.

And though the look on her face is nothing but concern
as she asks him if he is okay.

He says yes when he means no,
So that she will let him keep going.