changing the rules

and what if i decided to take kissing seriously
from now on to ink every soft pair of lips
onto my body in some way
not a tally mark — nothing so crass
but to make each kiss so meaningful
that i could draw a symbol or word
and use it as a public mark
what then? if i were to really show
how it feels on the inside: indelible
i would make conscious choices
about the way i smiled out loud
and would never be alone with a man
undeserving of my skin
perhaps i could stop thinking
of myself as a gift to be given
and if the ones who kissed me
knew this new law, would they
treat me with more or less care?