"Woman" by Birte Boock

this round table
where we lean
elbow-edged and laughing

this straight line we form, cupping hands

and reaching for the ring of communion,
this soft breast that slumps over bellied
infant, curled into an O: all these
annular attempts to conform to cement
homes as if we could
square our shoulders
and hide our spheres
as if we don't believe
in celestial globes, as
if we're more inclined
to be contortionists

Bio: Chelle Miko is a former "military brat" - now just a "brat" per her husband. Currently, she teaches gymnastics, and on occasion, writes literary reviews. Her work has also been published in or is upcoming in Poet's Canvas, The North American Review, Rhino and Poet Lore.

Contact Chelle at Chellemiko@aol.com