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  • Words on White Feminism Disguised as a Backless Dress
  • Abby E. Murray (bio)

You remind me of last yearwhen so many womenstood up on paddleboardsin the center of clearmetropolitan lakes and sailedforward on the breathof their own sighing.Oh, oh, oh, the state of thingsas they fracture, the worldclattering apart like pearlsfrom a snipped thread.I will report my sorrowto attentive ears, you said.I will take that glass of champagne.It is easier to be humanjust beyond humanity’s reach,where one can pull a fragmented yearopen like the teeth of a zipper:vacations, wait lists, and children,oh, the children, oh, oh,shimmering at the borderlike rhinestones on a hem.Indigenous women, sure, you said.Beyoncé forever. Happy New Year,you said, let’s get after it,let’s rock the coral lip we’ve wanted [End Page 24] to grin through even thoughit dulls the smile,makes it appear less white,let’s go braless, let’s workthat over-the-shoulder smolderat parties that are so. on. rain or shine.Oh, I should write about this.I should skirt the edge of wokebut disconnect a while too,maybe find a cabinand recommit to self-care,take myself out in a backless dress.I should say something, you said.I should say something. [End Page 25]

Abby E. Murray

Abby E. Murray is the poet laureate for the city of Tacoma, Washington. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Murray has moved around the country and taught writing in Colorado, Georgia, Alaska, New York, and Washington. Her first book, Hail and Farewell, won the Perugia Press Poetry Prize. Previous chapbooks include How to Be Married after Iraq (Finishing Line Press), Quick Draw: Poems from a Soldier’s Wife (Finishing Line Press) and Me and Coyote (Lost Horse Books).

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