all the forbidden fruit I ever

    dreamt of——or was taught to

    resist and fear——ripens and

    blossoms under the palms of my

    hands as they uncover and explore

    you——and in the most secret

    corners of my heart as it discovers

    and adores you——the forbidden fruit

    of forgiveness——the forbidden fruit

    of finally feeling the happiness

    you were afraid you didn't deserve——

    the forbidden fruit of my life's labor¹

    ——the just payment I have avoided

    since my father taught me how——

    the forbidden fruit of the secret

    language of our survivors²' souls as

    they unfold each others secret

    ballots——the ones where we voted

    for our first secret desires to come

    true——there's so much more

    I want to say to you——but for

    the first time in my life I'm at

    a loss for words——because

    （I understand at last）

    I don't need them

    to be heard by you.