I wanted it to leave a mark

You came to the side of the bed 

and sat staring at me. 

Then you kissed me—I felt 

hot wax on my forehead. 


I wanted it to leave a mark: 

that’s how I knew I loved you. 

Because I wanted to be burned, stamped, 

to have something in the end— 

I drew the gown over my head; 

a red flush covered my face and shoulders. 

It will run its course, the course of fire, 

setting a cold coin on the forehead, between the eyes. 

You lay beside me; your hand moved over my face 

as though you had felt it also— 

you must have known, then, how I wanted you. 

We will always know that, you and I. 

The proof will be my body. 

 

[Louise Glück {1943- } "The Encounter", from 'The Triumph of Achilles', in Poems 1962-2012]