She imagines herself with skyscraper 
legs posed seductively in the shower.
The water slithers, snake-like, down a taper
waist erect and conspicuous as a tower.
The lavender oils run into the basin;
the scent embodies her hope to be wanted
but from somewhere she hears a note of echoed sin.
Alone in her wanting, she is haunted
by shame that clothes her with robust and sudden hate
so she withdraws the apple from a dream-drawn mate.



The requirements for the poetry contest were:

  1. The poem must contain the five words: Skyscraper, Lavender, Hate, Robust, and Apple.
  2. The poem can be no longer than 10 lines.
It was an interesting exercise.