While this piece was not included in this printed work, it was too good not to share. -JBH
When I asked you
to be my first,
I meant that
first—
last
The everything
first time
my legs would shake
on your shoulders.
The first time
I will ever feel a
spread in my hips
to the point every chakra
would realign to
ruin me for
any other man
that would dare
look at me
knowing that I was yours
deeper than senses
longer than love
quicker than Lightning flashes –
that kind of belonging
you can’t buy…
that kind of power—
you can’t mimic
when I asked you
into my body
to be the first
to explore
to awaken
to erupt everything in me
that was meant for you
I meant that.
I meant that,
like God is real
admitting all I held
for you—
would belong to you,
which means there
was a lock on the inside
of me with
your name on it—
If you thought my
mouth was slick,
You’ll find out
What else already is
A lock that
no one could find
but you—
Just like they put
names on hollow point
bullets so that the soul
will be captured,
I wanted to be
captured—
to be held
to be found
by you and none but you.
Knowing the caliber of love
and love making,
Relentless exploration
that the kids call fucking
you would give to me
—and only me —
because I asked
it of you.
when I asked you
to be my first
I meant for you
to be the last
because how often
do you get to
touch the sun
and live to tell about it?
-JBHarris, October 2022
I Breathe Fire 