"Prep time"

Softest palest rose expanse,
cordoned off by strap and catch.
Shoulders, neck, hair gathered up
splurging white in palm of hand,
turned to slather on your back.
Slick and slide and evened-in
Glisten, polish down and down
- skipping over boundary string
Then slide up under, evening out
and doing rounds, as morning sounds. Now
further on we go,
like so.

Here we have
the small of back! No one
speaks this guided tour,
every sight is aching lack
and covering uncoverage in greasy,
sliding handsy streaks - so much
as can be neatly done, before.

We've reached the border, now. Do not
impeach this blue-bright line, unspoiled,
fun and slightly taut - but loose
as well! This flimsy scrap
of fabric screen for modesty
and style and hell, for such
a pretty thing as that?
Let's hold our

peace.

A peek or two
was not our fault.

There, done. Almost
well-done. We've reached
the bottom edge,
and covered each
and every naked inch (apart
from strap) above.

Well, to be safe, all bets
to hedge? Go underneath
to length of fingertips, so let's
be sure
we don't get burned,
your skin
so innocent
out on the beach.

We come correct.
And just a little smidgen
more, which after all
is earned. Respect.