Off go my panties. Now everything
moves slow motion. Finally I find
my voice. “Wait. I’m not sure …”
It doesn’t let me push him away,
but it does let me say, “I’m a virgin.”
THAT SLOWS HIM DOWN
But he doesn’t want to stop.
Instead he becomes gentle.
You want to, don’t you?
I want to say, “Maybe not,”
but it maintains control,
kisses him. “Yes. I want to.”
I won’t hurt you, he promises.
Let me make you ready.
He touches that place.
Kisses that place. It moans.
No, Autumn moans. No, I moan.
And I see that it is really me.
REALLY ME
Here with Bryce,
wanting to give
him all of me.
I’m scared.
But he has made me ready.
“I love you.”
The words spill
from my mouth
just before
a bright flash
of pain.