Remaining Voluptuous

 

In such unlikely places, how

these women remain voluptuous;

in the queue of a packed check-out

she leans by her silver trolley

and retains an air of open spaces -

a wind-swept heroine

staring seaward from the high ledge.

 

As she bends to unload

her breasts are trembling, dipped low,

and her bare arms, browned

by a long, long summer,

move with practiced subtlety,

concise, appropriate, rhythmic.

 

She has danced down long aisles,

gathered cans and loaves about her,

selected and lifted bright globes of fruit -

dallied, then chosen.

 

And in theses places

simple, daily, un-observed;

 

in such unlikely places -

remained forever voluptuous.