Mr. Clean



1.

Let me peel a fern

from inside a ripple

of bygone bath water.



Your fingers were cold and sweet.

OK company for my knees

along your thighs.



You hadn't yet noticed

the scum ring

in my basin.



These days I wear

that on my face,

around the mouth.



2.

Tennessee changed me

from a wing-hearted champ.



I caught a dark bird

on the river down there



and spat on its breast.

Split it open, had the flesh.



3.

Next time you caress my temples

in the mist and oil of the bath,



only I will know what great danger

you are in,



this far from land.