I like myself in silhouette
the shadow I cast
is a benevolent spectre
an omen signifying the same portent
as any other woman

My shadow dances
on sidewalks
cuts a confident swath
through lawn and pavement
she knows
she is the perfect emanation
of illumination
filtered through matter
and her definition
is flawless

I like myself in outline
I can sketch myself
choosing marks carefully
and render the forms
I only see otherwise
in my dreams

I can sheathe legs
in nylon
slip into heels
and turn every head
turning myself
into the goddess
of the wanton strut

I like myself soft
I like myself quivering
in shameless embrace
I am a surrendered battalion
I am a dough
which takes thorough kneading
to work out its lumps

The smooth pasture
over which the hand runs
does not grow thus naturally
every acre is hard-won
tirelessly scything a thousand stalks
reddening the land
with enflamed protest
and there is much feasting
when that harvest is in

I like myself in total
I like myself through the blurred lens
of possibility
it is the particulars
with which I am at war
the bristles that interrupt
every kiss
the wide pores
which dissent from my complexion
the larynx
which shouts its protest
from the high places

I like myself one
but I am many
I like myself whole
but I am apart

And as all these parts
wage their endless debate
I concede their points
but not their argument

For I am indeed the one
and the many
I am all
I lay down to do battle
I conquer by embracing
and once I have gathered all
these scattered tribes
unto myself
there will be much feasting
in that year of peace.

—

[Headline image: The graphic shows a woman in black silhouette with blue highlights. The lower half of her face is visible in profile, along with her shoulders and the curve of her back.]