Sonnet

'and that night.the white electric storm.the lake
in flames. you sleeping so soundly. your big bones.
smooth forhead. your dry pale mouth. split lip skin
flakes. to bite them off with needlepoint precision
teeth. to chew and roll in a minute translucent ball
and spit ball against the horizon. skin. its so
wonderful peeling your back after summer. a perfect
sheet of skin. pores backprint and some blonde down.
your backbone fossil. the sickly olive patch beneath

presing the veil of skin against my face. sucking
some in with every breath. sting rain the bay windows
hypodermic. in the skull the electric whirlwind.
sucking more with every breath. skin erection all symbols
of bliss. I was amazed so moved I loved you so much.'

Patti Smith
Witt