Sydney Poetry

A social site for poets in Sydney.

her.

Being a woman
entails more than lady-like graces;
covering up of interval boils
with Oprah-esque vigils
latent brimming of tears
for a man –
the one
this one
“his one”
No man is goddess enough
for a woman’s tears.

Being a lady
concerns less of pedigreed pauses;
refuge in a yoga class never found
playing the suitable victim
reasoning that feminism goes
too far -
“we cannot escape
from the sexist struggle
that those women initiated”

Being a woman -
being a lady -
is like playing the scent of an orange tree
against the wind;
excuses impervious to sensibility.
Olfactory tentacles
out-chasing a scream

(and yet - but for being
a woman -
there would be no scream at all)

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Permalink Reply by aspasia on March 31, 2013 at 20:44

Thanks Catherine! Much appreciated xxx

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Kotsonis on April 2, 2013 at 4:51

Hey ladies, can I join the sisterhood for a brief second :-)

Aspasia, this is great stuff! Some very clever lines which pulled me in ... Definitely a poem with a hook. Lines like "No man is goddess enough for a woman's tears" & "refuge in a yoga class..." along with "olfactory tentacles out-chasing a scream". Bravo! By the way, there was an Aspasia in 5th century BC Athens, renowned for her wisdom and wit. A reincarnation perhaps?

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Permalink Reply by aspasia on April 4, 2013 at 11:06

Thanks Thomas! Always nice to see a fellow greek... I have always felt very fortunate to be named after such a strong woman, even if nobody could ever pronounce it when I was younger (growing up in a small town in NZ, greek pronunciation wasn't exactly well-known). By no means will I ever reach the level of her wisdom and wit, but it sure provides some good inspiration! Glad that you enjoyed this piece.