A shoulder dips then slips free

from cool material to feel the rush

of warm air.

He drops a blanket over her,

she shrugs it off and looks away.

Stray hair drags across her face

and shields her from the light –

she says she doesn’t mind

then holds on tight, eyes squeezed shut

against the flood that knocks her

off her feet and steals her breath.

She holds her hollow sides.

– ljg 1991