“There is no such thing as safe sex, since no one can create a condom for the soul.” -Jayce O’Neal

To think that we are here, 

Connected pelvis to pelvis

By tubes and fluids

is alien. We wear 

Our masks and our gloves

To hide from each other's

Humanness. 

The animal in us hides behind

a latex curtain, pressed

Against skin. 

There is a pause, 

A moment of distraction. 

Not to wonder

In awe at the magic 

Of our bodies

But to guarantee our lives, 

To prevent our pleasure

From killing us.

To deny what we want

Is to have safe sex.