brushing the waist

forty strokes each night
upon your hair
keeps it shiny
brushing the oil slick
to dry ends and hoping
it will reach your waist
before too much longer
so it brushes his hands
as he has them on your hips
feeling 16 again
when he kisses you
and clutches a handful
of your strands
pulling back firmly
but not rough
so he can kiss
the sweet spot
where your neck merges
with your collar bones
creating a perfect
divet to hold his tongue
and you want to live this
in a way that won't
make it need to end
but you are not 16 anymore
and have lived
through enough love loss
not to expect a single thing
expectations clog the pore
preventing love to flourish
but for desire
you have clarity
to enjoy and watch it grow
forty strokes each night
keeps your hair alive
enough to shine
on his pillow
for healthy hair,
no time to waist