Mama, of course, conceded
sometimes, not often
I hope, out of love
      
being a little bit less mutual
for the moment

I didn't know anything about that
I was romantic
did not think about children
      
awakened by tumult
in the parental bedroom

At home was safe, I didn't pay attention
to those other women
available to men's eyes

that was a different world
of advertising and loveless ***

but now I notice, I see
female bodies
as human bodies
      
only having themselves
as owner