All About Sex

by Jane Yolen

So the corn husk is the chastity belt

of the popcorn crowd

and those silken gold hairs

(like Trump on a good day)

poke through the top whistling

“Hey sailor, new in town?”

It’s an invitation to any passing pollen.

I wish my mother many years ago

had added that possibility

to the birds and bees lecture,

though I still would have chosen

the fish method for its cleanliness

and simplicity.

* * * * *

Jane Yolen, author of 360+ books (actual number) including 8 books of adult poetry. Much of her work is for young readers, but she has a number of novels, essay collections, and pedagogical books for adult as well. www.janeyolen.com