Underthings

 

Tantra Bensko

Originally published in The Evergreen Review Issue 116 in 2008.
 
This is the one that will make him love me,

She said, holding up the fifth lace skirt,

Her eyes wider, darker in her face

Made of breath, and hair dyed black

To please

Please, please him, who already loves



Her when she takes off outer longings

And they turn to cats, rolling,

Furry, rowling, all inside the covers

Of each other, pull them off



Their heads, their scattered freckles, words.