Undressing Poem by RIC BASTASA

beyond the undressing
of the fabric
lies the naked necessity
for living
beyond the skin the flesh
lies some more
of what cannot quench
thirst
beyond all these is
an orifice
a wound a penetration
of the human skin
vessels of our undefined
sorrows
the cartilage of our despair
not finding yet
its true name
beyond all these quivers
something that i confess
i still do not
really know. I like it here for
the meantime
licking ignorance
savoring my temporary
presence
on something so obvious
like your lips
the tickle beside the ears
i am here so i must be here
this is fulfillment
at a certain stage that i must
not regret
i cut and slice
at the half of what i can hold
i sigh at night
having taken what i could
i stare at the stars
still asking.