Alison Dunne 
V3:E12 December, 2001
 
 
MOTH
  
I think  
I could cup the giant moth  
in my two hands  
the tenderness of that  
 
fearless, I could slowly close  
the trap of my fingers  
 
I learnt I was merciful  
the way you watched  
in light borrowed  
from a wakeful city as I  
lying between your open legs  
looked you in the eye  
took you in my mouth  
 
just because I've always been afraid  
staying under cover  
while  moths bumped stupidly  
at my lamp shade  
is no reason not to do this  
to gently shut my hands  
feel frantic beats against my palm  
 
I know I am tender  
the way I met your gaze  
my gift is release 
 
 
  
 
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| 
Date of Birth:
 | 
April 1964
 | 
 
| 
Location:
 | 
Market Harborough, England
 | 
 
| 
Occupation:
 | 
Adult Education Tutor
 | 
 
| 
Email:
 | 
ivoryfishbone@yahoo.com
 | 
 
| 
Publications:
 | 
The Nerve: The Virago Book of Writing Women (Virago 1998)
 | 
 
 
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