MsElaineyUs: The Right Way to Pray?

Blood and Honey by Erica Jong

I had only begun
by loving women-
& ended by hating their deceit,
hating the hate
they feed their daughters,
hating the self hate
they feed themselves.
hating the contempt
they feed their men
as they claim weakness-
their secret strength.

For who can be crueler
than a woman
who is cruel
out of her impotence?
Who can be meaner
than a woman
who desires
the only room with a view?

Even in Chess
she shouts:
"Off with their heads!"
& the poor king
walks one step forward,
one step back.

I began by loving women
loving myself
despite my mother's lesson
loving my ten fingers
ten toes, my puckered navel
my lips that are too thick
& my eyes the color of ink.

Because I believed in them,
I found gentle men
because I loved myself,
I was loved.

10/16/09

The Right Way to Pray? - NYTimes.com

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Blood and Honey by Erica Jong

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