For Anna, .. Poem by RIC BASTASA

at your time when moans are taboo
you said it well without any inhibition at all.
and you landed in the stage of fame
and you had it well, as men watch you with desire
all wanting to hold and love you in return.

men here do not say it and women too
keep their silence, and you may think that
they are all cowards and outmoded,
but you are wrong, they just do it and
never outdone either by you or of the past,
they are men and women with the decency still
clinging to their words, though their throats
and hearts are full.