Lamia Bathing by Shelly Reed Surrounded by seven wax flames I disarm sink deep into poppy-seed bath In liquid I sketch your reflection with fingers the color of doves Slick as bamboo the soap in my hands like your thighs In pillows of turbid steam your breath pulsates in the tropic of my neck Confessions swoop like cavern bats Through mirrors pores of my skin you emerge swelling like the jaw of a distempered horse I am in your hands like clay to be fired Choking water I wake to tame the beast of your apparition with syllabic whips © 2001 Shelly Reed. All rights reserved. Home