Sweat and skin
combine to form
a distinct scent—
a wild musky tang
that gets the attention
of the nostrils
before reaching
down further,
an odor that offends
as you are attracted,
drawn into the tangle
of bodies
beneath the sun.
About the Author: Jacob Friesenhahn is the author of the poetry collection The Prayer of the Mantis (Kelsay Books, 2025). This poem appears here for the first time.