32

in praise of spring

dirt in the creases
of your hands
beneath your nails
in your hair
behind your ears
(everywhere)
clean dirt
work dirt
good dirt
earned dirt
soft rich smells
of sweat and soil
earth and toil
salt from your lips
in your kisses
hay from your pockets
on the floor

4.27.10

31

13 April

piece by piece
i wrap myself
in a cocoon
of clothing
protecting
my softness
vulnerability
my hat
pulled low
over my too-broad melon
glass fronted eyes
a kerchief
guards the swiftness
of blood
my overalls cover
my cringing belly
the slow plod of my heart
the catch in my breath
my arms, though...
are free
and bare
and brown.