New Poem!

beyond the blood, beneath the skin

beyond the blood that flows rhythmically
beats a binding pulse that fuses souls
deeper than DNA scratching methodically
burns the desire to love and to grow.
without jealousy and greed people unite
holding fast to one another with great fever
passionately forever bound by need to thrive
families are formed despite their fears.

beneath the skin lies a desire for love
beating with rage and engulfed in fire
not out of obligation forced in disgust
but burning strong out of connected desire
family is more than just what birth can measure
with tears and regrets that turn to scabs
those who you can trust in thought and jester
have more heart to show than some genetic mass.

rickey russell