And It Was Strange
By Beth Cortez-Neavel

but just how it was,that time: seeing my own face projected back to me Delay Delay Touch your nose. Okay, touch your nos– pullyourhair Now Take off your shirt Touch smiling into your invisible eyesshaking my hairsmirking the wayyou said you liked. Take offyour bra Touch? Touch. And I saw myself nakedbefore you. AndI quivered withthis new secretthis new art. So simple:moment after moment afterframe after frameof justTouchTouch andLust and And Caress And stroke andNuzzle andEmbraceAnd Touch Andyour invisible eyesAndmy hands I came my complete selfyou were more than joy more thanYou –So much morethan a voiceon the other end of the telephone. You were so far away.