The Efficacy of Touch Poem

(For S.)

A voice 
that soothes 
like spring water 
filling my cupped hands or 
as the curling wave 
unfolds 
inside my ear.

My spine
is lengthened 
my shoulder 
kneaded

All the while 
the voice of whispers 
like a lover’s 
as your small and 
moving hands flow 
like water

You play my body 
like a cello 
with fingers 
fresh and free

This is a loving music.
In this moment 
my knowing 
is reduced 
to now.

Tactility obliterates 
the memory of pain.
Each nerve ending 
sings with longing 
and release.

Prostrate, 
enveloped 
by white light 
the brush 
of your thigh 
is neither 
suggestive 
nor erotic 
but secularly 
sensual.

You are, you say,
a conduit
for love
as God
not love itself 
for me.

As I lie
vulnerable, 
disarmed
my warrior’s body
now
strangely fragile
you
–my 
antithesis.

A love flows
shall I call it
eros?
philos?
agape?
storge?

All four,
Together?
Or none?

Love:
unconditional?
sensual?
virtuous?
affectionate

But 
this love of spirit
which, 
you say,
flows through you
flows through me
in return

face down
I whisper
Again
And
Again

I 
Love
You

The words disapppear
Through a hole

Unheard
Unsung

All four,
Together
And none

Lost in whispers
And the gentle
Lapping
Of skin With skin.

Giles H. Sutherland