I laid my Shames-
multitudes of them-
to bare.

Aired them out to dry in the sun,
hung them by the line,
then embraced their Shadows-
muddied, sopping wet around my feet.
Slipping all at once, wholly
into their cool, grounded presence.

And as I rise up,
I can’t possibly imagine
just why you look so horrified-
as I wipe my hands and face
clean, on the freshly laundered
Shame.