/// Nude with Panama hat on her head,
Berniss sat where it’s shady, in dread
of a sunburn and peeling.
She would not risk revealing
patchy skin to her lover in bed.

/// She is proud of her pale, shapely build.
So at side-stepping sunshine she’s skilled.
Hates a red sunburnt torso
and tan lines even more so.
(Plus, her bust is more perky when chilled.)

/// Berniss builds up a light golden tan,
to look healthy, not wan is her plan.
Her hat hides her hair,
so no sun damage there.
All this work, just to placate a man.

/// She had hopes that her looks would impress,
with no need for her to acquiesce.
Yet, what little she wore,
(from the rule: “Less is More”),
proved that undressing leads to success.

/// She asked him for some sun tan lotion.
He rubbed in his own home-made potion.
On that hard to reach spot—
her mid-back? He did not.
But her chest got his loving devotion.