Sweet and Tender Beast

My sweet and tender musical

A fun experiment

Three steps in
You stop by the door
I leave the light low
I don't ask what happened before
Your coat stays on
Your hands stay cold
I know what fear does
When it has nowhere to go
I pour one drink
You don't touch yours
The city keeps breathing
On the other side of the walls

I could come closer
I choose not to
You look at me
Like that is something new

Your sweet and tender beast
All teeth
No appetite
I know how to want you
Without taking what is mine
Your sweet and tender beast
Rough hands
Held still
You don't have to trust me
You only have to breathe
Stay there
Take your time
Your sweet and tender beast
Will not cross the line

There are marks
You cover with your sleeve
I see them
I let you leave them unseen
No questions
No beautiful lies
No promise that morning
Will make everything right
You move one chair
A little closer to mine
Not close enough for touching
Close enough to try

Your sweet and tender beast
All teeth
No appetite
I know how to want you
Without taking what is mine
Your sweet and tender beast
Rough hands
Held still
You don't have to trust me
You only have to breathe
Stay there
Take your time
Your sweet and tender beast
Will not cross the line

I have broken things
By holding them too hard
You have learned to leave
Before the leaving starts
So keep your shoes on
Keep one hand near the door
Then your fingers touch my wrist
Just once, just light
And every animal in me
Goes quiet for the night

Your sweet and tender beast
Still here
Still under control
I know how to hold you
Without closing every road
Your sweet and tender beast
No crown
No grand release
Just your forehead on my shoulder
And the room returning to peace
No vows
No need
Your sweet and tender beast
Knows when not to feed

The drink stays warm
The street turns blue
I do not move
Until you do