Skirting

I don't want my legs to show I don't    want my legs    to show that I'm willing instead I ripped my skirt off the first story     (in which I am featured) my mother having forgotten the wooden clothespins which were my usual toys     not having them to gum & grip     instead I ripped my skirt off say    I'm willing more than    so I'm too    willing so say so more than say so much    than I'm willing to    say I don't want my legs to show    but my breasts are available      not motion but gravity     the steadfast pounding not motion    not pavement the pounding the skirt is the uniform    grey & sullen     in school    refusing to hold a pleat     wet wool on iron steaming     flung after lying in snow thighs red & icy sitting for yearbook pictures smart girls    honor    society our white panties showing every one if I show you my legs won’t you see that I’m leaving all life is a leaning slow dancing      eyes closed arms raised around his neck each girl     a view for some other girl’s partner they are not the feature    the breasts hide the heart or disclose it    the legs hide the opening the skirt hides the legs disguise enclosure in clothes my mother couldn't understand why I wouldn't wear a slip when standing in the light the outline of my legs shone the skirt matters    although it is see- through fear is a by-product do not be dissuaded this made more sense than that division into love & fear I began to see fear as a curtain    a scrim substantive as light evasive & theatrical but light     as a curtain it need not be skirted a skirt may be ripped    shredded or moved easily aside it need not be violated it can be adjusted