Show me your silken underbelly,
the pearly translucency
of your petal-wings,
wild rose
velvet folds,
moon-bright orbs
pricked with pink,
that small perfect
pout
binding me
to your mercurial
moods.

I know every
skin prickle,
lustrous lair
darkling tier,
a quiver
of hidden
sharp things—

hostage to
all your
thornier
edgings.

Anne Casey

 

(Hymenopus coronatus is the scientific name for the (walking) flower mantis or (pink) orchid mantis.)

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