"Eve" [by Katharine Coles]

Eve

Don’t consult the cost.
Rather, mind the body.
Course, occluded, lost

In its heedlessness
It finds itself: too heady
To consult the cost.

Balance grace and dross;
Weigh desire and duty.
Cursed, occult, lost

In my nakedness —
Mea culpa. Steady.
I can’t account the cost

Of what I’ve won. At least
I kept my word. I’d stay
Any course to lose

Everything like this,
To be every body’s
Curse. I cut my losses.
I do not mind the cost.

-- Katharine Coles
From The Antioch Review