PAPER DOLL

Naked, or nearly so, I stand straight

in the morning light

before they come

(the ones who think they know)

to dress me in the image that they see

daughter, sister

friend, student

mother, teacher

So I walk the day covered over with paper clothes

that sometimes fit, or nearly do,

but more often don’t.

Then the paper cuts and chafes

or is held by force in place

till a bruise is crushed into my frame.

Still, and at last, once more—

naked, or nearly so, I stand straight

in the morning light—

while the sky spins spells with tales for me,

as the air welcomes me tenderly into its care,

the trees and grass speak truth to me

that they and I can understand.

We are alone, the morning and I

and it is only now

that I know who I am.

#Feminism #Self-Awareness #PoetryandIdentity