Sol 5.6

  1. He has cheek-down, its trace apparent

    to the eye—yet nonexistent to the touch.

  2. As though its first faint growth upon his cheek

    were a bough’s shadow lingering in the sun;

  3. or an alif carefully traced by a scribe,

    visible on the surface of the parchment;

  4. or like embroidery on a skin-close undergarment,

    showing through the outer layer of dress.

  5. Yet it is not as I have said; rather, it is

    the traces of my touch upon him—or my caress.

Sol 5.6