Mikveh
The water doesn’t get changed, and already
stripped and robed and down the hall I,
like the shiksa I half am,
equivocate, squirm, make it a word
problem. If that water touches thousands
of naked baruch hashem women,
problem. If that water touches thousands
of naked baruch hashem women,
what ulterior curls and dimples,
what zaftig fleshes, what radiance,
moles, asymmetric areolae, crimped
what zaftig fleshes, what radiance,
moles, asymmetric areolae, crimped
hairs, toe fungus, Oh God,
warts—steadying, I move toward and
away from the idea like water
warts—steadying, I move toward and
away from the idea like water
