A Strip of Skin
The white pillow was stained
with a blotch of blood
My shame lay bare on it
A strip of skin hung
between my legs
From my stomach to the mouth
moved a ball of pain
Of desire and no desire
Years have passed since
that night of the moon and stars and
clouds
Memory has twisted and turned
loosening my claim on it
of what I was sure to remember
I wash my legs
and there is no blood now
No strip of skin hanging
to be ashamed of for ages
