ICU

I saw your face:
dark, where the eyes are,
the deep bridge of nose,
the swell of the chin.
.
The tiny hairs that line
the top of the mouth.
Your teeth even, white
as if magnified.
.
Your breath licked at me
caught on the sensory path
to the brain. An anticipatory
pause.
.
The dark edge of water
in the autumnal lake;
the heartache.
.
It wasn't instant:
this knowledge,
the gratification. Pause
.
for more and more
until
the leaves fall all rusty
the colours reflected.
.
A joy so bright
in orange, red and gold;
taut as the veins are
under the skin.
.
Trace the words
all the ways I .... ...;
in liquid fire.