there is a short list of things you want right now:
rest, comfort,
a hand pressed against the small of your back
peace,

rapture.

but not the kind of rapture folks dream of
no final redemption here
no explosive joy
just his body next to yours

it’s funny, you’ve decided
that you seek rapture in the most sinful of kisses
his lips against your stubble
his smile against yours
when even just the want to hold him close
is one that you’ve considered wrong since long ago

it’s funny, you’ve decided
because otherwise it’d be tragic

there is a short list of things you want right now,
but it could really be boiled down to this:
his hand pressed against the small of your back
rapture given, given by a kiss.

Finnley Silveria is a queer non-binary author from California. He has been using poetry to help process his identity since the pandemic began.