walking naked through times square

it started out as a dare

walking naked through times square
i cower inwards, arms across my bare
breasts & crotch; overly exposed, aware
of the hundreds around me, who pause to stare

but there are others who barely notice
the fact i’m even there
too self consumed with their own journey
running between here and there
they’re the new yorkers, not the tourists
they’ve seen it all before, too many crazies
to bother with me, even be aware

and then i remember i’m one of them
just walking down my personal journey
why should i even care?
the tourists are gone by next week, anyway
i spread my arms out wide
and cock my head up high

i’m not ashamed of my body
rather, i love my breasts, and
the feeling of the wind
rippling through my pussy hair
the temperature is perfect
clothes would be too hot
this is my natural state
i’m meant to be here

not that this is eden, rather
the farthest from it
not a tree in sight
just billboards & concrete
neon luminescence blinding the sun
& suddenly i no longer feel welcome

it would be different were i in tompkins
or washington square
there are other crazies there