UNDRESSING IN THE DARK

I undress in the dark
to a nakedness stark,
then my husband can see
the whole of my body,
with the darkness of shade
softening parts displayed.

Warts and all there may be
from my life history -
adolescent tattoo
after first drunken do,
the stretch marks round my tum
where my children came from,,
the scars of surgery
on a breast and a knee,
the wrinkles and sagging
that have mirrors nagging.

I focus enjoying,
his gentle hands' toying
and long hungry kissing,
his words, "I've been missing...'
your most warm company
the time I've been at sea.'