Gem

He always looks at her when she speaks
as if each word that drops from her lips
is a precious stone, watches her eyes
crinkle and spread open as glittering words
spill out between teeth. He wonders
if the skin on her cheek is as smooth
as her words, wonders
if it feels cool, pearled with wisdom.
As she speaks, there is nothing more he wants
than to bring his hand to the curve
of her jaw, to feel its polished surface move
as her lips deliver jewel after jewel;
he has always wanted to hold one in his hands,
to swallow one down his throat.