Sunbathing during Covid
We lay naked on an early summer’s day
The Rhine River kindly caressed the shore
A few metres between our towels
Nothing passed
In that articulate, confessional voice
That made everything sound profound
Before me
Who could not give away my body for themRather against my will, in the sun
My eyes closed
The Rhine River kindly caressed the shore
It creeped, overreached and retreated
As always
Its gentleness an unbearable ticking
As if to say, “This is all there is.”
How dare you!
Perhaps I have taken it too far before
Blurring or confusing the line where
We were split
By the time before the river and after
And so we lost our innocence then
My eyes closed
