Straight from the shower

Straight from the shower

Skin still moist

Steam curling off

Freckled shoulders

Water droplets pooled

In the concave well of a clavicle

There is a sensuous, unconscious swish

Of fiery hair

A phoenix in flight

A wildness as unpredictable

As Joan of Arc

The towel wrapped tightly

About a warm soft body

The curve of a spine

The twinkle in her eye

Passing me the hairbrush

The intoxication of touch

An intimate dance

Before bedtime

The creams and unctions

On a dressing table

Covered in feminine clutter

A stuffed toy from a long-gone

Valentine’s day surprise

Only with me now in

Memory

The remaining things

Tucked away

In the closed drawers

Of a bedside cabinet

The jewellery she removed

Every night

Before falling naked into bed,

Still in the box with the secret

Compartment

Just waiting to be opened,

Occasionally it is