cati PORTER

V. What It is That You Want

 Standing Nude Venus

 

My  body has decided it wants you 

even though the kitchen is burning down

and I am standing somewhere where

light meets dark in the shadow

of a broken-bottled moon.

 

I offer this: my breast; cupped milk.

Does it comfort? I would lie

with you if I could, but he

has painted me upright. To be near

you must stand near, must press

into the oil and varnish;

 

to touch you must reach out with your own flat hand. 

* poems from the Modigliani Series, a group of eight ekphrastic poems.