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To a Pregnant Woman
- University of Pittsburgh Press
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53 To a Pregnant Woman Years ago the bigger girls used to whisper and laugh, excluding you their bags crammed with lipsticks and cigarettes their full sweaters facing the other way it hurt you not to hear what they were saying soon you will learn a secret said the old woman larger than any bag can hold, an old riotous tale of seduction and addiction —motherhood! you yourself are going to whisper and laugh Soon your waters will break said the dark red tulip you will turn inside out much as my bulb split open in order to deliver me up through packed dirt into fresh air and much as I will ultimately reveal my inner secrets by dying plenty of pain for us all but my dear you are going to produce your own interior sweet bulb Get ready said the dog for smells different from any you have known mysterious infant scalp smell belly smell creamy shit smell dried milk smell foot smell the odors of your own body 54 will be different more fruity more ripe your hands never have felt anything delectable as a baby’s skin enjoy the trance while it lasts ...