for Karthik


that salt adheres to the palm
proclaiming only this
that purchase requires both
sweat and the one hidden pearl
of scraped touch

much there is in the hand
bequeathed 
beneath the thigh the grit
burns smooth the groove
where you lay

tapered fingers flame
that these lips may chaff
chafe more the love
from the grain which
skin frames from
cloudless scansions

kindled limbs
do not go out
do not ash hot
to powder
nor the colder grow
though each is
made distinct 
distinguished 

though each
is extended
extinguished
in the other's
contradiction
neither brother
or lover

but both

both be
perseverance
of palms 

of salt

Preserve.