Drums To Skin
for E.M.J.

is someone inside her,
needing her body,
kneading her body

shaping her,
rearranging her from within

how her body
fits the clothes she wears
her dresses, feminine outfits

I tape her up, measure her body
with eyes as if for wedding dress
or wedding present

as if to present her with
something made to order

refusing to conform
in dresses she wears
she stands out,
stands apart, stands alone

woman on her own
her own woman
rather than belonging
to Vogue or fad
or Tommy Hilfiger

difficult to belong to me
who belong to these

but is she a baby’s mother
taking shape within her

does she belong to an offspring
arriving on Bahamasair

unavailable to hand me herself
upon a platter
something in the baker baking

a nine months baby
an eight pound turkey
Christmas approaching

cranberry source and stuffing
fruit cake in addition to prepare

to put out
guests arriving


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2007
2:25 p.m. 26.09.07