Summer's Wake

Tall ship slice
through translucent aqua
marine clarity.
I wonder sometimes if all those years I hated
the white, freckled skin of my upper thighs
of how sad they must
have felt—being hated like that.

For as long as I can remember I have been
YOUR biggest fan—
YOUR most-swell supporter.
I have cheered and
applauded—I have
woo-hooed
YOU to your finish line.

Why not to those long, strong curvy limbs?
those generous rounded mounds?
why hate
and hide
ashamed
so much beauty
below the surface of things...