how many of us had each other
in our pockets without telling?
the photographs and videos
inviolable locked tight inside
archives of deep respect they say
a roman citizen could stroll
the world protected only by
civis romanus sum
community as armour
just like it was those nights
when we gave ourselves away
waited to see what returned to stoke
fires that scared the lonely hare back into the forests
of our shame and may it
always be that way
our bodies silently walking
with each other every day
keeping each other's deepest wants
inside our jackets I held so many
of you close despite not meeting
thank you for your beauty for trusting
your body into your own hands
and then to mine your secret's safe
with me
