Original Kiss

As if
slapped, her face
(taut in recoil assumed a shade
shy of pale, despite best

efforts at masking reaction)
belied

beyond sincere, her fear

once spoken words sent
on their track might never
come back, let alone loose

lips & so appeared haunted,

hunted, hurt – in an instant
of flickering fluorescent folly
. . . in reverse, her face

revived
as if slapped

back over the net
of that moment. After.











Inspired by certain origin/myth poems & poets here.

Original Kiss