"ODE TO A PROFESSOR", or TWENTY ONE


Rose-petal cheeks
Shaded in painter's pink, peach
Myriad metal strands, sleek
Shade-shifting through the heats

Pink in fluorescence,
feeding the strain,
still frenzied,
lost in ecstasy.

Bronzed by candlelight,
Auburn under office light,
Ruddy in the spotlight,
Flag flying white

Flop sweat, penitent,
Spinning on the spot
The bookworm-conqueror
Plummets to his knees

Sunbeams on the yellow hood,
blinding bright
Eyes shielded, shut tight
Against the burning sight

But claiming victory, the field departs.