Pantoum (by Amy Allara)

Pantoum

I believe he placed his hand above my knee
upon the midnight blue corduroy and therein
but enough about him could we get to me
a wide-waled route to skin

upon the midnight blue corduroy and therein
to those places otherwise identified as pleasure
a wide-waled route to skin
would you repeat that measure

to those places otherwise identified as pleasure
but he did not relocate his hand to my right thigh
would you repeat that measure
how about once more and then goodbye

but he did not relocate his hand to my right thigh
there will be no more brushing of the corduroy
how about once more and then goodbye
I don’t know—is this some kind of ploy

there will be no more brushing of the corduroy
but enough about him could we get to me
I don’t know—is this some kind of ploy
I believe he placed his hand above my knee.

-- Amy Allara