Calla lily, shameless

hussy flaunting
yourself like that —
opening your satiny creamy bridal
skirts to show

a burning orange pistil
stiff with pollen!
Balenciaga-girl-Armani-boy-in-
one, stuck on the grassy

runway to nowhere — sea
noises, unchanging
swoop of heaven over
head! — & wouldn't you

like to fly away with the
birds & bees that
visit you, especially the humming one
that zooms & whirs & stabs

the whole chill hole of you
again & again,
rending your satin & exploding
your shining tongue

with hungers you can't understand —

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Copyright © 2011 Sandra Gilbert All rights reserved
from Green Mountains Review
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission