october eighteenth time

To ankles!

I see you there--the saddest part

of the body
who spent so many years in comfortable
conservative knits; your curves alluded to
at most. Always dressed in black or white
like pall-bearers and ring-bearers,

Now

I watch you twist and lust about; a
sprawling whoring place. All skin and bone:
no decadence or warmth. Your décolletage--
offensive in all seasons--perverting suspenders
and garters with each

seductive

thrust of ligament. Your

cracks and mutterings; your
persistent and unglamorous

footsies.

Look where you've come.