Limber

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a Phantom?
Sweet and untamed --
void of the cowardice of men
who have things to lose, like ego.
The wine was gone so i could be humiliated and
he slid, slowly his finger, round the edge
til the sound was shrill:
a hollow glass
for a hollow face
in a hollow place,
for which i cannot name.
i asked if it was the smell of blood
or the taste
that he preferred on the lips; or
if it was the lips all alone he preferred prior,
for rescuing,
among other things.
He replied, to save them
to save them
from the masks of mortal beasts
who swallow insecurity
just to spit it out as pride;
to save them
from the tight rope in which they climb
wearing satin slips
and slipping
all
the way
down.

e. chayes