Caitlin Thomson explores the intimate nature of masturbation in two of her free verse poems. For Issue #19 ‘Secrets’.

masturbating

i pick my weapon of choice 
and go to war
recrafting my body
i’m sleek, smooth, powerful, 
my curves are undulating.

amid the clashes and cries
the ground shakes as
the mighty battle peaks 
head thrown back in silent ecstasy 
i collapse, triumphant,
swordless.

my second heartbeat throbs 
and flutters, like a hummingbird.
taut muscles release as 
rivers flow in me 
i have traversed
the mountains of my body.
i know my crevices and peaks
and the avalanche that will snow me in 
under the white cotton duvet 
needing more

again

     again

                   again.

wet

wet
soaked cotton pools
around me
curtains half drawn,
the door double locked
i touch myself
with no one’s name on my breath
but my own

Illustrations by Izzy Guest.