Our Bodies Were Worn by Jennifer Lagier

Daily, Camille sees Brody
limping into the gym.
He totters unevenly
from station to station
pumps iron with
his weak arm and leg,
slowly regains strength
after having a stroke.

They nod in passing,
grunt during work outs,
grimace and make noises
that remind her of sex.

His blue eyes follow her progress
at resistance training machines.
She performs flies, curls, crunches.
He stares at her erect nipples.
Despite tight jogging bra,
they make themselves known.

She imagines him naked,
involuntarily moistens.
Visualizes him between her thighs.
Wonders if endorphin overload
and celibacy overdose
have damaged her brain.

Jennifer Lagier has published ten books and in literary magazines. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Forthcoming books: Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle). Website: : : Poetry by Jennifer Lagier : :