How to get over ["when the poem flirts..."]

for those of us who can’t quite quit her

when the poem flirts

similes hugging her thighs

like a tight skirt: consider

the possibilities.

if the poem follows

you home, whiskey

pickling her tongue:

make her coffee, black.

if the poem arrives

dressed as metaphor,

begging for candy: trick

or retreat till the mask falls.

should the poem slink

outta panties, stand

naked demanding touch:

finger her lines

till her stanzas beg

for an encore: come

again, explore, imagine odd

positions of sweet revision.

and whenever she whispers,

stop: listen and leave her be.