When I was young, I used to
Watch behind the curtains
As men walked up and down the street. Wino men, old men.
Young men sharp as mustard.
See them. Men are always
Going somewhere.
They knew I was there. Fifteen
Years old and starving for them.
Under my window, they would pauses,
Their shoulders high like the
Breasts of a young girl,
Jacket tails slapping over
Those behinds,
Men.
One day they hold you in the
Palms of their hands, gentle, as if you
Were the last raw egg in the world. Then
They tighten up. Just a little. The
First squeeze is nice. A quick hug.
Soft into your defenselessness. A little
More. The hurt begins. Wrench out a
Smile that slides around the fear. When the
Air disappears,
Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, briefly,
Like the head of a kitchen match. Shattered.
It is your juice
That runs down their legs. Staining their shoes.
When the earth rights itself again,
And taste tries to return to the tongue,
Your body has slammed shut. Forever.
No keys exist.
Then the window draws full upon
Your mind. There, just beyond
The sway of curtains, men walk.
Knowing something.
Going someplace.
But this time, I will simply
Stand and watch.
Maybe.
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Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Her work here is very painful and I love the feminist theme to it, how men start out by loving women and acting delicately but the best time is watching them- then they cannot hurt the woman who is only watching. I liked this poem of hers a lot and am going to check out some more work by her
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I love her poems!!!
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So much pain she had behind this peice, and anger that is festering.
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I like the way she words things. This is one my daughter should read. Men indeed! Wonderful poem.
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This is one of my favorite poems of hers. I have her book of Collected Poems and it is one I read often. Some of the poems included in the book I have read to my daughter.
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i have enjoyed all the works I have read and this poem was not different. I get moved everytime.
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i love this poem it reminds me of what i do sometimes
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This is a wonderful and insightful piece. Such a sense of truth, with no sugar coating. Bare naked truth. So strong and vulnerable simultaneously. Too sharp I'm sure for many to digest.
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GOOD JOD
I LOVE HER WORK
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