(response to “The Grudge” by Jeffrey McDaniel)

You kiss me
petals blooming on ravenous lips
the venom of your resentment
stinging me
as we stumble into bed

Passion flows out of us
for what are lust and rage
but dancing cousins
caught up in the same steps
on the ballroom floor

Hands grabbing hair
fangs digging to bone
hope clinging to your sweat
as we dream
if a time before spittle and fear

Let it spill
let us remember tomorrow
Nourished roots erupting
into the towering fronds
of our forgiveness