2007
Women’s Work
© 2007 Sandra Jean-Pierre
Down to river
slowly we tread,
I in back, you in the lead
Untidy bundles
upon our backs, beneath our arms
I carry the buckets,
You the washing powder…
In silence,
we minister to the sweat stains,
the work stains, the aroma of our human-ness
cloudy swirls
on rivers’ surface,
wash down and out and away,
leaving river clear again…
In tandem
we develop our rhythm,
yet
through the corner of mine eyes,
I spy your scent,
dripping from the precipice of your nose
Being wife,
I stand, grabbing the hem
of my blouse
and wipe your forehead.
This chore,
this cleaning,
we women,
doing this women’s work…
Laundered lives,
now hanging and flapping
drying in the yard
I fill the sink,
bathing the vegetables
passing the rinsed ones
for you to peel
You at my side,
I taking the lead
Mine hand on my hip,
the other stirring the pot
fire beneath brewing
nourishment and love
yet
from the corner of your eye
you see my sway,
my exhausted stance
Being, You, wife
offer a chair
allowing me to sit,
taking the spoon from my hand to yours
This chore,
this cooking,
we women,
doing this women’s work…
When at last
the night calls and
the stars begin their answer,
we sink deliciously
into our bed
side by side, You and I…
you reaching for me,
I sighing for you
between,
exhaustion our constant bedfellow
yet
Your raw and calloused hand
touches my virgin belly
mine tongue and gentle stroke
finds your lips and mouth
This chore,
this lovemaking
we women,
doing this women’s work…
beautiful!