Noli Me Tangere

Barry Goldensohn

Sustaining unbreathing poise, arms crossed,
legs crossed and re-crossed, balancing
our rigid bodies (O your shrouded breasts),
our eyes evade and check with grim skill.

Not touching. Stiff deliberate revisions
of position: as precise as diplomats
around, around their heavy chairs; or birds
in flight that only touch to court or kill.