than yourself. 

only they 
are you 
the hunger 
I feel 
with my feet 
probing 
the murk 
and falling 
to my knees 

for another 

twist of the knife 
I savour 
with each sip 
the wet, sweet 
quiveringness 
from your plate -  

so sharp against my lips 

trying to shuck 
this stubborn mollusk 
i flake away 
layer, after layer 
to this pearled 
reflection 
only to discover 
i can no longer judge 

so absolutely 

the essential 
difference 
between 
foot and tongue. 

-jbk  
24july1997  
rev31jan1998