By Misti Velvet Rainwater
Date: 11 January 2000

Modesty Ain't My Middle Name

photographs cannot endear me to you
they are flat and inaccurate
they don't capture
my indomitable starburst
they don't catch me
in my best moments
*when I'm driving toward
the sunset
my hair on fire with
brilliant colors
*when I first wake up
in the morning
still fresh from the world
of dreams
*when I have been dancing
for an hour or more
my eyes bright
my face flushed
*when I have been drinking
wine or beer or tequila or whiskey
my smile lazy
my eyes wicked with warmth
*and you should see me
walking up a stairway
either from above or below
you would hate
to see me leave
but you would love
to watch me go...