The Very Naked Name Of Love Poem by Dónall Dempsey

Love, has robbed you
of your clothes

except for high high heels
pearls & long elegant gloves.

Love pauses us at this
ridiculous stage

holds us in this
dressed/undressed pose

me almost naked
except for my wristwatch

ticking as madly as a heart

as we fall & laugh

& your pearls become
unstrung & one by one

dance across the linoleum

like an untalented tap dance act
that doesn’t stand a chance at an audition

and you smile & kiss me & whisper:

“Perdition...alas I am
undone, sir! ”

The fading afternoon sun
covers our nakedness
smiles: “Ah, lovers! ”