Nude

NUDE

i shall remember forever
that dull rainy morning when
i saw my mother naked

the long swerving curves of her
waist mysteriously familiar;
modern like a steel skyscraper

standing in the dampness of
the garden i struggle to keep my gaze
from sinking into the depths of her shadow

i shall remember forever
the stillness in her eyes;
the stirring stream behind

perhaps the faintest breeze
would have caused her to cover herself
and remain my mother

Michael Ernest Sweet
Montreal, Quebec
UNICEF