[ IN THEIR HOLD ]

Fingers wrap sound fingers, 

thumbs move in soothing patterns. 

But in this simple moment

the repetition doesn’t lull

but nervously entices

pulling us into kisses.

Their hands graze my back

with a resistant softness

I must stiffen my spine

to fully enjoy the touch.

When need for consent

requires a wide-eyed look,

we do not abandon our tangle.

Yet when softness overwhelms 

the enticing spark,

I settle my head on their chest

just to listen to their love.

Their arms squeeze me once 

while their lips peck at my head. 

Gentle kisses and hugs

settle into contentment

and I accept my position

stuck in their hold.

 [ A BEAUTIFUL INVITATION ]

Bathed in an artificial blue

the curves of her looked rather inviting 

yet I couldn’t disrupt the picture.

With her hand, she delicately

lined her hips before her gaze

pulled up to me. She smiled.

I broke the colorful hue

stepping into her blue world,

ready to guide my red hand

down her hips, taking hold

of her beautiful invitation.

[ TANGLED ]

Blur the tasty, tender bits

we all hide in stark daylight 

with foreign calloused hands 

and wanting, bodily drool.

Blend together harlequin skin 

slipping under painted fingers 

and stained with strangers’ lips. 

Anatomical reactions combine

into a uniform, restless enigma, 

breathing within the entanglement, 

giving to the depraved pieces. 

Limbs are artificial arteries

bleeding sweet onto tongues 

eager for all the new tastes. 

Rhapsody bouncing heavy 

in the density of humidity,

all created by proximity. 

Render the collective still,

by returning pieces to daylight, 

seal our sins into memory.

Poetry by

Lyndsie Conklin

Lyndsie Conklin (she/her) is a Montanan transplanted to Colorado, living with her husband and cat, Beans. She enjoys getting outside, being a cat mom, breakfast foods, Diet Coke, and (of course) writing poetry and erotic fiction. Lyndsie attempts to find romance, beauty, and darkness hidden within the little things while highlighting these little, gross beauties within complex, current topics, such as mental health and LGBTQ+ and women’s issues. Lyndsie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Colorado University and a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration from Post University. Some of her work has been featured in Soupcan Magazine, The Sleeve Magazine, and Dreamer by Night Magazine.