How spoken word should be done…

I read your poems-
rolling the words
in my mouth,
letting them brush
against my tongue,

stroking each syllable.
My lips close
gently on each m,
open on each ah.

I let the weight
of your intentions
settle deeply
into my core
as I speak,
the prepositions
whispering silkily
across our skins.

My voice rises
as I reach the climax,
drawing out intonation
each word
straining for meaning

until it is finished.
We bask together
in silence, then softly
murmured accolades
demand an encore
performance, and
we read again.