LOVESICK

by kate siobhan mulligan

It starts
as a fever
                growing deeper
inside my feet
                moves upwards
toes, ankles,             crawling
up my naïf body
                                                                oh this body
                                                                that has stretched
                                                                and yawned with me
                                                                through thick and thin
This fever curls
up my legs
                spirals
along my hips
and unfolds its long dainty fingers
upon my lips
                                                                oh my lips
                                                                curl at night
                                                                whispering secrets and prayers
                                                                prayers that your lips were there too
                                                                to cool this fever, calm this shaking
                                                                prayers that you’ll return

This fever
makes his home
behind my eyes
plays his rhythm on my temples
to the beat of my heart

                                                                You return.
                                                                This fever breaks
                                                                                but the beating of my heart
                                                                continues.