Stripe

As the rope ends fall, I exhale. It feels like the force of impact goes through me, this way, instead of just sitting on the surface. My back becomes the head of a drum; my body hums; tension frays loose and fades.

It was hard, at first, to get you to believe that I like this, that I need this.
Then we discovered tapotament and you began to understand.
You don't feel comfortable pounding loosely clenched fists on my back and thighs?
Well. How about this nice thuddy flogger?
Thank you.

And for just a few minutes, the world is the slap, whistle, and thud of rope on flesh. The warm, heavy fabric of several strokes laid close but not overlapping. For a little while I'm liquid.

In a few hours, we can worry about making ends meet. In a few hours, we can budget and plan. We can worry about things that sink time away from eachother and don't show a profit in the process. We can try to find sleep inside all the dissatisfaction with work that we love. Later.

But right now, we're together in a very personal way.
And right now, all is well.