Poem of the Week: Wo/man’s World

I mostly post my poetry first on Instagram, (unless it is a patron-exclusive poem). Then, each Sunday here on the blog, I post the poem that has got the most Insta likes.

If you’re on Instagram, let’s follow each other. You’ll find my account Orna Ross.poetry here.

The poems are inspired by photographs, sometimes taken by me, sometimes by others.

My most popular poem on Instagram this week was, “Wo/man’s World”.

And now for this week’s poem:

Wo/man’s World

Turn then, my dear woman,
with your blank look, away from all that—
love and beauty, home and babies,
being the keeper of the light,
the female lot.

Step out into the man’s world,
as you must, but why slide on a mask? Don’t think it will cover you.
And tell me: why you would want it to?

Such a being: woman.
Manifold, multitudinous, infinite, even.
A universe of mystery and creative might.

My dear woman, go where you will,
but wear your own face,
know your great worth,
and decline to be what,
by definition, you are not.

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Orna Ross

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