*
*
She took it all out
the good doctor did
baby-making equipment
inactive for years
now a threat of disease
*
gone—those parts
that connected me
(forever)
to a boy and girl
parents themselves
*
Who am I now?
*
She took it all out
hoisted up the sagging bits
with sutures and ligaments
curving this torso like a shrimp
pink, bruised purple and green
*
seven short incisions
only one gives the pain
that should accompany
such a loss
*
What am I now?
*
*
my skin shone smooth and brown
I moved with thoughtless ease
grew my hair long and frizzy
wore skirts that skimmed my legs
sensuous as ribbons
*
When I was beautiful
I thought sex might be love,
and love was elusive
my feet danced in circles
with an ignorant heartbeat
*
When I was beautiful
I thought backward
to a slim gray cat
in a motherless home
holding a stone of grief
*
When I was beautiful
I lived within the sound of waves
winter sunlight, summer fog
a harpist played next door
each morning a revelation
Tangled Magic 