with every touch

warm lavender oil
drips from trembling hands
and softly lands
on her slender back.

each scented splash
slowly glides
along the graceful
curve of her spine.

unsure where to start,
i brush away
her long, dark hair
from freckled shoulders

and search for knots,
kneading her baby-soft skin
with nimble fingers
and thumbs.

she closes her eyes
and exhales,
her body unwinding
with every touch.

Photo by Elina Fairytale from Pexels