How I Know Him

I know him for the fibers, and the follicles, and the fingernails.
I know him for the echos they leave on my skin,
My red skin, untamed, which he claims by moon fall,
When he answers its thirst and makes silent its cat call.

I know him for the fact that I'll lay down my wrist
Against the clad mattress, with fingers outstretched
And in less than a second, his own hand will crawl
To lace with my palm, knuckles pressed to the wall.

I can feel when his eyes roll, when he swears and inhales,
I know him like breathing, I know where he's been
I know when he's sleeping, I know what he dreams
And I love how he's living right under my seams.

I know him for all of the moments we missed
No kiss is too small and no words too far-fetched
I know him in no way I'm told
From shiny news to weathered old
From rave reviews to mother's lament
I know him as his leather scent
And how it stays when he is away
I know him like the night knows day
And the way he seems to know me
Better than I do.

I know him for the way he'll see
That I know it's true.

I know him for the way he knows me
And that I feel it, too.

For I know him for being less than he seems
And love him for being more than my dreams.