I iron
our sheets

so painstakingly perfect
it gets on your nerves.

Recite some
Chinese poetry
whilst I’m at it.

Something about sleeping so
intently

it’s like being
ironed to the sheet.

“That’s a great line! ”
you beam.

I prepare our bed

which now appears
to be

a blue silky pool

startled with red rose
petals

floating on
its surface.

I iron a brace
of pillow case

ask you
would you like to

share pillow & sheets
with me.

You kiss me
on the nose.

“I love this
Chinese stuff! ”

“It’s so...sensual! ”

“But I should warn you...! ”
you warn me

“...there will be
very little sleep
tonight
...alright? ! ”

“Aiya! ”
(“Oh, my! ”)

“Ai! ”
“Ai! ”
“ Ai! ”
(“Love! Love! Love! ”)

I chant

relishing the promise
of her

threat.

“Bici bici! ”
(“Same to you! ”)

“Bu Kèqì! ”
(“Don’t mention it! ”)

Dónall Dempsey

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bici-bici-same-to-you/