First II

I love the way you always
challenge me.
The way you always
keep me on my toes.
The way you always
get my heart beating
like a drum.
This time, it was a race, only the first one
to cross the finish line
was not the winner.
The way you asked me
what I wanted if I wanted if I won and what would happen
if I lost.
I tried to hold out on you, love, but your dancing
fingers and perfect rhythm get me every time.
And when I moaned softly, as our ballet met its coda,
you yanked me so close that my chest was
one with yours and you whispered in my ear,

     “I. Win.”