*

*

my skin shone smooth and brown

I moved with thoughtless ease

grew my hair long and frizzy

wore skirts that skimmed my legs

sensuous as ribbons

*

When I was beautiful

I thought sex might be love,

and love was elusive

my feet danced in circles

with an ignorant heartbeat

*

When I was beautiful

I thought backward

to a slim gray cat

in a motherless home

holding a stone of grief

*

When I was beautiful

I lived within the sound of waves

winter sunlight, summer fog

a harpist played next door

each morning a revelation