Steamy Pages
by T.L. Kelly
with Jane Reichhold
bath bubbles
explode on steamy pages
kitten claws under the door -- tlk
painting her nails red
before typing the love letter -- jr
her lipstick message
left scrawled on the mirror
telephone rings -- tlk
just like the ones
on her fourth finger -- jr
something borrowed
her departures in moonlight
something blue -- tlk
trying to start his car
with her own key -- jr
it turns out
the night watchman
is a woman -- jr
moonlighting
for the wages of sin -- tlk
week-end
a flow of blood
showing -- jr
so many men
so little -- tlk
buying a diamond
discount catalogs
belong to a friend -- jr
for so long she promised
I could look but not touch -- tlk
daybreak
when the person one loves
is not perfect -- jr
moon in aquarius
one learns the art of daydreams -- tlk
castles in the air
outdoor plumbing
needs no permit -- jr
paperwork zen
the eternal quest for permission -- tlk
point blank
the whiteness of lotus petals
spinning -- jr
safe in a soap bubble
your upside-down reflection -- tlk
sign at the yard sale:
Paperback Romances
Cheaper by the Dozen -- tlk
the eyes of a woman
reading her own story -- jr
just one kiss
upon her breast
would wake her -- tlk
her arms crossed
a cross her heart -- jr
dressed to kill
all sighs and urges
self-contained -- tlk
20 years of dieting
girdles back in style -- jr
the fine art
of the striptease
resurrected -- tlk
wanting to see more
opens a window blind -- jr
designer sunglasses
rest squarely
on her designer nose -- tlk
keeping the sun out of her eyes
keeping the son out of her eyes -- jr
moon crawling
upon her spine
melting shadows -- tlk
hours touching
side by side -- jr
leaving
lake waters
calm -- jr
holding her breath
a lone wolf howls -- tlk
frozen sun
dawn clouds
faint with pink -- jr
discovering
pulse points -- tlk
morning glories
tangled hair in places
smoothed by kisses -- jr
knowing these moments
by heart -- tlk