POEM OF THE DAY -- "Number 8" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

This is the last in our weekly POEM OF THE DAY series featuring Lawrence Ferlinghetti.  "Number 8" is a fitting departure from some of the more characteristic poems we published earlier in the week.  Typically Ferlinghetti's poems are intellectual rather than spiritual in nature and feel.

This one is distinctly spiritual.  Enjoy it!

Number 8

by Lawrence Ferlinghetti


It was a face which darkness could kill
in an instant
a face as easily hurt
by laughter or light

'We think differently at night'
she told me once
lying back languidly

And she would quote Cocteau

'I feel there is an angel in me' she'd say
'whom I am constantly shocking'

Then she would smile and look away
light a cigarette for me
sigh and rise

and stretch
her sweet anatomy

let fall a stocking

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