Page 6 - Contrast1978Novemberv22n1

1 awaken knowing 1t bas started.
for three lZIOntbs, there bas been
no reason to count the days.
still, there 1s a hollow relief
in being taken by surprise.
old habits, i Suppose.
forgetting lZIOther's ad:izDnishme.nts,
1 scrub wi th steaming water
and leave an irrevocable brown stain
on yellow-flowered cotton.

neglecting sleek quiana blouses,
i dress in my brother's flannel shirt.
frayed cuffs cover my hands
past the second knuckle.
the plaid has zun and faded

to a cloudy ocean-blue

which swirls gently over 11R} breasts.

haphaza:rdly, 1 comb 11l!J hair.
it is edging towa:rds my shoulders,
no longer the precision cut of suzmuer,
which fit close against my bead
like a neat Jcnitted cap,
but a fluid, formless entity
with a 1ft:)tion all its own.

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