First published in our ‘Love’ issue, Gavin Bryce’s poem imagines the relationship between lovers as a living body. Illustrated by Ross McEwan.

We built a body together,
Made of the finest fabric.

From the fibres of laughter grew young hands;
Desire stretched arteries into arms;
Eager feet sprang from our travelled roads.

Kisses formed lips, and smiles made teeth.
Knowledge strengthened bones and words weaved skin.
Vulnerability created eyes; honesty opened them.

Love bore breath,
Spun to every cell by the beating will of our hearts,
And vows held them in strong fingers like ribs.

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