the art of the leg

the toes’ downward slope
fishhooks the eye, tugs
the catch to rounded crevices
secret depths, forbidden return

or swishes the eye toward sky
to revel across curves and valleys
stretched sinew, long muscles
of delight and whimsy

bent it snaps a whiplash
boomerangs desire
embrace of thigh and calf
folding itself into mother

of pearl conch or lotus
it lies upon a dream
of koi-drenched ponds
a slip of silk on flesh