I first kissed someone in the summer
before sixth grade.
It happened in a tree
we were clinging to the branches
and each other
and looking at the ground far below
and laughing
breathless
euphoric.
We were so far up
and so far away
that we forgot ourselves
and the world
and our hands were clenched tight on the bark
and suddenly our lips
were pressed together.
We let go of the tree
and moved to touch each other
not minding that we weren’t holding on
because we didn’t care about falling.
His tongue hit mine
and I breathed out sharp
and heavy
and wet
into his mouth
because it was a new sensation for me
one I hadn’t felt before
one I liked.
