writing: tan lines

you came with fire

eased in between a laugh and a sideways glance

and left your mark

burned me like summer

crooked

a little unexpected and offbeat

prominent

you made me a walking conversation piece

and stayed with me until i hid you

but still you stayed

all thru winter

fading

an inconvenient reminder

often easily overlooked

but in the right moment

you're all i can see

you branded me

and left your imprint

like iron on flesh

in a way that could only be you

in a way that could only be yours

slanted like the way you tilt your head to the left

yelling

nudging

whispering

reminding me, always

that maybe i was wrong

maybe i was

maybe i

maybe

fading like a bruise

but branding like a scar

covered like a mistake

but staying, part of me

always a part of me

yours

and i'm finding, i think

that it'll take another burn

something that cuts deeper

but

you go first

please

you go first