Roger Pfingston, born 1940, is a retired teacher of English and photography, and is the recipient of a poetry fellowship from NEA and two PEN Syndicated Fiction Awards.
BONES
Roger Pfingston
Today, dear one, I attempt the impossible:
I’m going to love your bones,
I mean love your bones so they will know
that they’ve been loved, so your flesh
will simmer with jealousy, melt and merge
with your bones, be one with your bones
and know how cold your bones have been
without love. Are you ready? Can we do this?
It may not be easy, it may be that bones
remain without love for their own good,
it may be they can’t withstand
the pressures of love. the infectious heat
of love, it may be that bones can only make it
with the hard mouth of Death. Nevertheless
today I’m going to love your bones,
beginning of course, with your flesh…