Mindful of Your Visit and Asparagus

by Melanie Perish

Asparagus—spring harvest

and thick,

tapered as arms.

The bundle of stalks waits

for olive oil, black pepper,

high heat – a timer set

to roast them to flavor.

When you arrive next month,

above me with your damp, wide shoulders,

the delts, biceps, extensors – your flexors

and tendons tapered to wrist.

My eyes, focused on your face,

will not see hands spread on either side

of my naked arms.

We will be heat.

We may let the vegetables burn.