Love Burns

I choke upon your love,
it overwhelms me so,
like the strangling vine
rooted within my heart,
spreading through my veins.

I spell your name in my blood,
I want to feel your fingers
upon my flesh until it begins to bruise,
hold me until my ribs crack.

Your presence is like
lightening splitting my bones,
humming through my teeth,
electrifying my cells.

But your absence
leaves me like a desert
without water,
I want to rend my flesh
and beat my breast,
tear my hair,

You save me from myself,
kiss me until I bleed
so I can taste your love
like salt in the wound
it burns through me
and lets me know I am alive.