Night falls
and I ache to undo the belt
of your burning body;
I ache to touch the soothing
fire of your cool thigh.

Night falls
and I ache to follow,
with closed eyes,
your skin’s
sensual highway.

Night falls
and I ache to receive
the jewels of tenderness
you locked in some unused
corner of your heart.

Night falls
and I ache to feel
your two hands breaching
the pillowed edges
of the known world.

Night falls
and I ache to see you
trembling and excited,
and all lit up by a sense
of something everlasting.

Night falls
and I ache to lie beside you
in that synagogue
of silence and softness
before the machines wake.

Night falls
and I ache for you,
my love,
as I have never ached
before, for anyone.