Berthold Lippel

LONELINESS

I knitted a robe

From the wool of my loneliness

A grey and heavy garment

Hanging limp from my shoulders

As I ran to hide from your youth.

But you found me, and you laughed!

You sewed bright ribbons to my hem

Festooned the front with fragrant flowers

Cut off the sleeves

Tattoed my arms

With hearts and moons

Until your laughter

Cut the thread

Unraveled quick

The suffocating weave

And bared my skin

To sun and love