red meat

take the dare
and be the bleu cheese
bacon wrapped
succulent filet mignon
served with giant
baked potatoes
and
(if you're lucky)
steamed asparagus.

i know you

how you love
so loudly
it leaves you hoarse

how rare you are
inside and dripping
juices so salty
so delicious
we can only dream
of licking the plate
where you lie

how read you are
and how i have to closely
examine your color
swirl you in the crystal goblet
swish you in my mouth
then -- for fear of swallowing you whole
spit you out.

dare, my darling
dare.

Be the meal
i can eat each night

the one that sustains me
when all others leave me hungry.