Women - Anna Blaman

I

Her arms smooth and clear-skinned in the shadow

of dark tulle, amply perfumed and lips

of carmine-red—I see the tips

of her breasts heave coming and going.

II

Store twilight, fabrics piled high on the counter

She leans forward with a look full of desire

I see her blouse opening supplely

and begin to sink—deep and fair.

III

Her legs long and smooth— she laughs and lies

limply backwards— I see how deep and far the lines

of her legs recede and

reflect on this with face turned away.

IV

She giggles my way through the mirror, attending

to the effect of her made-up eyes

What do you think, she says slowly, did I

get my eyebrows on right?

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Anna Blaman (1905 - 1960) The Netherlands

Translated by Cliff Crego

Source: Picture-Poems