You leave your meaning trembling at the door You dress your hunger up in metaphor You lift your chin, then look away from me As though temptation were authority I know the language hidden in your breath The word you hold between your tongue and teeth But knowing what you want is not consent I want the truth—deliberate and meant Don’t make me save you from deciding Don’t ask me to steal away your choice Bring me every secret wanting Give it body Give it voice Say it properly No riddles, no disguise Put every wicked syllable Between us, open-eyed If you want the lock turned If you want the key I won’t give you anything Till you say it properly I could decide the distance and the pace Make you hold still underneath my gaze I could command the silence from your mouth But that is not what I would draw out I want your own voice choosing what occurs No borrowed lines No half-forgotten words Ask without apology or shame And hear how beautiful you sound Naming I won’t confuse your fear with wanting I won’t call your stillness yes But tell me clearly what you’re offering And I will handle all the rest Say it properly No riddles, no disguise Put every wicked syllable Between us, open-eyed If you want the lock turned If you want the key I won’t give you anything Till you say it properly One word opens One word ends I will listen for them both Power without your no is counterfeit I have no appetite for ghosts So look at me No, don’t look down Let every honest word be heard And when you finally say it Low And without shame I’ll cross the room so slowly You forget your name Again Without the metaphor What do you want? Say it properly No riddle No disguise Every wicked syllable Still burning in your eyes Now the lock is turning Now I have the key You asked for my attention You have all of me Say it again Slowly I want to hear you choose me
