“What does a woman inherit
that tells her how
to go?”

— Sandra Cisneros

”I never did like fantasy.”

— Rexanna Hamm

*

I daydream of Hydra.

When the Sunday paper arrives, I flip straight to the Travel section.

I’ve never read the Vows
& am only inclined to read Sunday Sports 
when there’s a woman on the front page.

At brunch my girlfriends agonize over the ticking clock
& indecision
& thirty-five years.

I dip my grilled cheese in my soup & stay silent.

It’s not because I’m not interested 
(I am)

It’s not because I’m not well-versed in the annoyance of indecision
& the precious art of timing 
(I am)

But I’m an expert in the practice of reactive states
& feel more at home listening than divulging.

My period comes due with the rent,
& I’m not a fan of a late payment.

My paycheck arrives by direct deposit.

---

Written September 2019. Updated with a few [minor] revisions.