things we do to each other

once i told you that you are beautiful.
i have seen you, open and willing, tied breathless
to a future you were scared of;

inside the dim white walls you are confident,
maybe, or just lying, who can say? but i am willing
to follow you there;

i have stolen your siblings,
i have usurped your husband,
i have sung songs to your children,
i have lived inside your skin
and found it beautiful;

in my kleptomania i am still attached:
i desire you, desire the heat and the wet of you,
daydream about your skin and your mouth;

because i think this is what masculinity is, selfish,
worth disavowing servitude for: ownership through
whatever means. but i am female: i will win

and will give back. i do not need to keep
what i have taken. come back to bed, find yourself
under my hands, let me tell you what you are.