Panties

Courtship flowered ripe
fruit of the loin
blooms of cancun blue
satin silk petal
plunging swelled bikini belly
dripped hyacinth nectar
stiff wing brushing
heavyhung lilac

Marriage thrilled sugar lace
string hipped snowflake
frilly sweet secret
pristine Queen Anne threaded
on a bed of pearl

Parenthood, children asleep,
tiger, fire-engine, astronaut,
we peel away unseen,
a universe of fingertips,
elastic band catching
the knots of your ankles

First published Into the Teeth of the Wind (II.2-3, 2001).