For the Arapesh

76 the minnesota review Ruthann Robson For the Arapesh a people who have no "conception of male nature that might make rape understandable to them." -Margaret Mead the scratch on her face is from a branch it is not considered seductive or charming the bruise on her leg is from a fall it is not considered beautiful or alluring when she yawns, it means she is tired there is no hint that she is bored and needs to be mastered when he yawns, it means he is tired there is no clue that he is bored and needs to conquer she is unafraid when her daughter is out alone in the dark and she sleeps peacefully the daughter comes back near dawn she has been talking night with the trees there is no odor of suspicion that she has seen her friend's father, at breakfast, the daughter tells a story of a man and a woman in the dark the women laugh boldly with broad smiles and straight backs the men laugh loudly with open eyes and airy voices everyone thinks the story is funny ...