Garden Party with Madeleine



			fawn-shy, she backs away
			from hands wanting to touch
			this makes her irresistible 
			some hope she will come to them 
			before sunset    or midnight
			those who have a way with animals
			fall in love
				begin to woo her
				mostly in the same way 
			open hand          murmurs of praise
 			 dearer than conversation or wine
			they never lose sight of her  
			they tell her she is good  
				she sees the open hand from far
	 			  asks directly from the eyes
				runs away   remembers   returns
            		like this, a thousand times
					but, before the day is over
     			slowly  
					( body flexed   caught
					between running and squatting)
					still wrapped in shyness  
 	            		shedding it    inch by inch  
              		  she comes
			the sky is halo to this meeting
                        	with Madeleine 
			who in this moment is gift
                             is  naked trust  
                		as she comes