Surmise --

a pearl-eyed girl, locks of gold,

struts her stuff

under the tarp, casting shadows

in the deep -- glazed, dimpled, trusting

the world will be kind

to her, she

swallows her Pride, wincing, as

if struck

in awe, frozen by statutes that

have expired, No flesh, no

Carnal inkling insists, she can

lower her gaze

now

and dream --

*