by Nancy Devine

Milky skin is not butter
or cream churned soft into
my cheeks. The udder’s sallow wash on brow
or jaw.
But what I do with my hands, a pull, squeeze
splatter in bucket, meter repeated each day,
someone else’s kine
these vacca who protect me
keep me smooth
as a full teat in morning
whey of my being without blemish
while much around me curdles.

• Welcome to Entasis.