“Faces” by Nevit (Creative Commons)

Nevit Dilmen

 

Favors

 

I know I squeeze my eyes most tightly shut
when my lover plays the burrowing mole
making dirt of my clothing, or the mutt
licking me like what’s dragged in on the sole

of a shoe, or the daddy long-legs that
sneaks under my arm, trying to make me
giggle. I know that when he plays the rat
he will sneak up from behind, but will flee

when seen. I cannot face these creatures
or be a four-legged beast in reply
because his carnal self steals its features
from my brother on whom I used to spy

that grin, and so I clench my eyes in shame
that I love him, who smiles so much the same.