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Stephen Jackson
In the Showers [Sequoia National Park, 1993]
When you stepped out of the shower in a towel
and saw me stretched over the sink, struggling
to slide an earring in my ear, I didn’t know what
to expect, except more of the shit I’d always get
for wearing an earring in those days — so, I was
a little taken aback when you asked, Do you need
some help with that? as you reached out and took
the earring from me, then slowly leaned yourself
into me, till I could smell the soapy scent of your
warm taut flesh pressed fully up against me, and
like a lover or a husband, you gently slid the post
into my ear — I wanted to kiss you, but instead
I smiled to thank you, allowed myself to let you
walk quietly away, in a silence I hear to this day.
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