Night sailor

Late one winter's night
I was visited by a sailor
(While I was in my satin nightgown -
Hidden creases were still cool against my skin.)
I let him warm the pearls around my neck,
One by one,
With his bare fingers. (Rough and stung from salt)-
He didn't startle the furrows of my shoulders, my fireglow flesh.
And I said to the sailor,
And I cried to the sailor,
"Steer well, steer well."