80spoems/polish

POLISH

What will you do tonight?
Polish my brass ring,
which is too large
to be in good taste.

No woman should live
without a brass ring,
a feather fan.
Or high-heeled shoes,
triumphant earrings,
talkative hats.

What will you do tonight?
Blow the dust from
my feather hat.

No woman should live
without a ruffle
here and there,
fu-fu water
in atomizers,
crystal or
glossy black.

A woman should never
try to live without
what she needs
to be a woman.
Feathers,
sequins,
silk.

What will you do tonight?
Polish and dream,
celebrate in some
small piece of
handiwork.

No woman should
live without
a bouquet stenciled
on the tea kettle.
Pink purses,
lace gloves,
bold bracelets.

A woman should
never be without
striped socks,
black slips.
Cashmere, denim,
velvet.
A strapless dress,
a wool work shirt.

A woman should
never try to
live without
the things she needs
to be a woman,
what is necessary
to work and glitter,
rings to celebrate
the calluses
on her hands,
to remind her
she is a woman.

What will you do
tonight?
Pumice my feet,
try to get closer
to the possibility
of what a woman
can be.