As a Roman Would in Bed

I want to wash your bedroom walls

With all of my cologne,

And sew your heart

With the salt of my skin

To keep another love

From growing there.

We kissed on your bed

The night we met.

You noticed my open eyes,

Commanding that I keep

Them shut

As you made etchings

On my neck.

I said

I kept them open because

I liked to look at you.

The truth is less

Romantic—

I wanted to see

If you would keep yours open,

Too.