Double Edged Pleasures Poem by RIC BASTASA

naked children
bathing under the rain

girls stamping their
feet on the water

scattered pleasures
in the rising waters of the river

the boys are at it again
cliff jumping

there are no stones
the rain keeps on pouring

the bamboo raft floats
seeking a strap for home

naked boys and girls
they bathe in the river

long ago there was no malice at all
pure pleasure of angels

the rain keeps pouring
the waters still rising

there is a flood of happiness
at what price tonight?