I remember the first time
I learned to hold in my stomach
A blond-haired girl, older than me
Next to whom
I felt grotesque.
She gave me my first initiation
Into womanhood.
And ever since then
I forgot how to breathe
Innocently, like a child.
Joined the ranks
The world of women
All starved for breath.
And now I wonder
As I breathe life and hope
Into my belly
Who benefits from my power centre
Being asphyxiated daily?
Who benefits from me
Making myself as small as possible?
My womb tucked away
Never to inconvenience the world
With my life, my joy and my love.
And now she swells
With the potency of my return
And I remember
All the lovers
I hid from under the sheets
Pretending there was nothing inside me
But empty space.
Sister
Let yourself breathe.
- Jenny Wren
