Mantle

everything except your underpants,

gown open in the back

the p.a. says;

doctor will be in shortly,

and we all know what that means.

i grab a brochure about eczema

which is not my concern,

here for my annual skin cancer screening.

doctor is an infant, impossibly doe-eyed and efficient,

she inspects what’s uncovered before

crinkling the paper gown to check belly and breasts.

i’m about to lampoon my silly putty skin

that has stretched over six humans;

maybe a balloon three weeks after the party dig,

but already she’s examining my back and butt.

i bet you’re thinking this is above my pay grade? might be a good one here

but i say nothing, blue paper gown open in the back,

thinking what an odd moment, this one, to summon dignity

like we’re both professionals.