Potential security risk

The scanner flags me as I go through,

because there’s an anomaly

in the female pattern.

There’s an anomaly with my body.

So they have to pat me down.

The lady tries to ease my anxiety.

She tries to lessen the blow

of the violation.

But when she pats me down,

her touch is so gentle

it shocks me to my core.

Even when she reaches down

because she has to—

my dick could be a bomb—

it feels not like what it is

but like kindness.

And I know how I’ve ached

for something like this.

I know how I’ve longed

for a gentle touch.

I keep my lips sealed tightly

as if to never separate them.

I don’t say “Thank you”;

I don’t beg “Keep doing that”;

I don’t ask “Do you love me?”,

but the hands leave me

wishing

for a voice.