Cleft

Bend your head, I say to the child
who steps out of the bath,

so I can rub this film of oil
on your nape. And as she does,

her long dark hair falls down;
and in it is the dusk of leaves

from the resinous woods;
and sunlight’s indelible

musk in the softest
spot of the crown.

[LAG-signature date=”10 22 2012″ url=”http://morningporch.com/2012/10/159122902/”]