Dropped your bags off / next to stories of relatives /
your grandfather who lost an eye / your aunt too much
like mine / until we found ourselves / teetering
on the edge of a cliff face (my mattress) / you extended
an arm / shouted σ' αγαπώ / I love you / before releasing
my grasp / and falling
into the void below / joviality of youth reenacted /
and we laughed / the ghost / of your grip / around my wrist /
my three bracelets / hanging on / despite years of wear /
the pearl-beaded your favorite / I think / you twirl it
most frequently / once you climb / back onto the bed /
whilst we speak / to the ceiling / you’ve also taken shelter /
in my arms / that would have worked tirelessly / all night / diluting the wine / of our krater / just to keep your chin burrowed in my neck / your eyes / stealing glances /
down my peplos / lips / offering kisses / onto the high bone
of my cheek / as you watch me / create the evening’s flavor /
we are eager / to taste / on the other’s tongue /
you’ve found refuge / in my legs, too / offering admiration /
from the kline / comfortable spectator / raising your kylix /
a toast / to those legs / strong / sturdy / like the priestess of Sestos,
you are / you lauded / while I poured / a glass of my own / realized / you made your way / into my ribcage / when I saw
you / as if for the first time / a man / so respected in the polis / here / in my oikos / here to lead / here to stay / and had to / catch my breath / my lungs / forgetting their purpose / each day /
each moment / even when you insist / shutters ought to be propped / on sweltering summer days / so that we might enjoy our view / of Hellas / you are too / miraculous / to be real / or
to love me / but you are / you do / and my fingertips / can attest
to it / they have memorized the peaks / of your shoulders / grip this stylus / like it is the back of your neck / securely / yet tenderly / while our foreheads meet / breath-tethered /
and I wonder / what else could be / this lovely / until my hands
can be full / of you again / in February /
when you arrive /
do not knock / ascend the steps / as swiftly as the breeze /
on the coast of the Aegean Sea / enter / and should the lamp
blow out / while you swim to me / do not fear / trust /
that I would leap
from this tower
to meet you in the raging sea.
Harrsch, Blake. “You’ve Made Yourself a Home in These Bones (After Hero and Leander),” Corner Pocket. Seton Hall University. May 2024.
blake harrsch 