womanly

I was taught that the
shape of a woman was
made by absence.

An absence of
height,
fat,
noise,
needs.

It was made by stillness
so that her absence
would never be a disturbance, also.

She should be felt only
as that invisible order
which calms men,
and waits patiently
till required.

I was taught that the shape of all women
is made by absence.



written 16th November 2013