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Divine Women: The Woodblocks of Utamaro
- Wayne State University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
87 Divine Women: The Woodblocks of Utamaro Alongtherock-shavedshore,theysit, breastsdappledandopentothedaylight. Theirredrobes,slackacrosstheirsalt-glistenedbacks, hangabovetherisingtide,withintheslow arrivalofrain.Thereisnothing butsilence,notasinglewordhoversnearthem. Theylookdown,lostinthelanguageofwaiting. Milesoutontheocean’sineffableliftandtoss, thefishermenflingtheirweaveofnets,stand counterpointintheroil,wait,thenhaul intheircatch,sortgroundfishfromeel andfeelthewomentakingthemintothenothingness ofthrustandcalm:alone,thenight,timeempty asthelureofspacebetweenthestars. Herethewomenknowthereisnohope. Theyreachintothesea,lettheintuitionoffingers feelfortheabalone.Whentheycutonefromitsshell, theyimaginetastingitspinktongueofflesh, theseadrippingfromtheirhands,thesalt singeingtheiropenpalms.Bytheirsides, theweathered,brownwickerbasketssoak inthewetair.Theywillfillthemintheonlyway theyknowofbeingintheworld.Thewildyoungboy whoneverleavesthem,reachesabovetheirrobes asifthemolesontheirbreastsarestars. ...