Aphrodisia

Loves language is hyperbole, but whispered,
sibilant similes and promises sotto voce.
Its easy to imagine youve misheard,
 
the form and content clash, create this weird
distortion like an echo or a tape delay.
Loves language is hyperbole, but whispered.
 
On which do you place emphasis: The words?
Or the breath? The farfetched or the foreplay?
Its easy to imagine youve misheard
 
when objectivity has disappeared
and your lover is getting further carried away.
Loves language is hyperbole, but whispered
 
vows? Its hard to take him at his word,
or hers: Speak up! Proclaim! you want to say.
Its easy to imagine youve misheard,
 
hard to admit one sharp as you is stirred.
You need to back off, cool down, act blasé.
Loves language is hyperbole, but whispered.
Its easy to imagine youve misheard.

Copyright Credit: Richard Hoffman, “Aphrodisia” from Emblem. Copyright © 2011 by Richard Hoffman. Reprinted by permission of Barrow Street Press.
Source: Emblem (Barrow Street Press, 2011)