When I arrive Poem by Brane Mozetič

When I arrive, you throw your arms wide open,
you want so much tenderness, caressing
and kissing, you keep grasping for my
hand, you long for my mouth, wanting more

I take off your clothes and fondle you
in my lap as I would a child who will grow up and leave
at times I see the marks of other
teeth, scratches, sometimes my own saliva

released into you, like sap,
we walk across the fields and you hold onto me
you stop, snuggle up to me, you whisper

I love you, you shiver, it is cold,
you bow down, feel the earth with your hand, look
at me, it calls, you softly say.

Translation: 2002, Mia Dintinjana and Phillis Levin