[Susan McLean]

Magdalene with Skull

The flesh has let me down. But bones are true:
a hard truth that has led me near despair
for deeds that you deplore. You know you do.

You picture me disheveled, pale, half-bare,
remorseful for my sinning ways cut short,
twined in luxuriant swaths of shining hair.

A pinup for repentance. Of a sort.
For private contemplation when alone.
My mute friend doesn't cavil or exhort,

keeping the welcome reticence of bone.
Your flesh will let you down. The bones are true.
And yours will tell you what you've always known:
the deeds that you deplore you know you do.


Revisions:
L1 after "true" the colon was a period
L2 "A" was "a"
L12 "will" was "now"