My Breasts
I no longer want
the high, jutting breasts
of adolescence.
I like the hang
of these breasts now,
the convex under-curve
the concave upper,
perfectly matched:
oh beautiful half-moon.
If the whim takes me
they can sit on my palms,
a perfect fit.
I don’t pull on them
as a man or a baby might;
I simply hold, stroke gently.
I make no demands
of my elderly,
still-smooth breasts.
I used to think them
wrong, too small. Now
they comfort me.
Written in November 2020. Sharing in January 2021 with Poets and Storytellers United's #Writers' Pantry #53.
gorgeous, the blossoming of deep self acceptance and love that seems for so many of us to take a life time to develop x
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, it did take a lifetime to develop – but better late than....
DeleteI like your breasts, too, R... at least your poembreasts. that is. I'm sure I'd like your realbreasts, too, but I'm not going to say so, just in case My Beloved Sandra pops in & reads this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, glad you like the poem. (For the rest, I think most blokes like most breasts, don't they?) But if you're looking for the poem I linked to for the Writer's Pantry this week, you've somehow wandered into the wrong post.
Delete(And in case that's totally confusing, I am now sharing it in Writers' Pantry – about two and a half months later.)
DeleteIt is strange isn't it that men like breasts so much but not to have them themselves! I wonder whether that comes from breastfeeding when babies...reminding them they survive from being fed this way.
DeleteI had an aunty who used to say that men 'all want to be babies on the breast again!'
DeleteThis poem is so relatable, Rosemary! I love the perky shape and form of it (no pun intended!) and the femininity of it. I never got to grips with my own, never got the hang of them, but your poem has encouraged me to accept and cherish them.
ReplyDeleteI suspect many women have hang-ups about their own. (For most of my life I was no exception.) Sad, really.
DeleteI know someone who is like you on how she used to think about her breasts - "wrong, too small," but if yours were jutting during adolescence, I imagine they're just fine. And I also imagine I would love the acceptance of many things that comes with age.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are indeed some advantages in growing older!
DeleteI've been doing a lot of peeking at some body positive accounts on Instagram which have a very similar feel to this piece, and while exploring them hasn't made my (multiple) hang-ups over my appearance go away, it's awfully comforting to see people who have stopped going to war with their own bodies. It lets me know that it's possible.
ReplyDeleteSad that so many of us are so insecure for so long. I have read that even women considered great beauties by their societies have grave self-doubts on the matter. And it is also such a shallow basis for esteem from oneself or others. I have lived to appreciate my grandmother's admonitions: 'Handsome is as handsome does' and 'Beauty is only skin-deep.'
Deletemy eyes popped at the title, but there's almost nothing poets cannot write about. plus, it's written by a poet who knows about and is comfortable with her own body.
ReplyDeletei think men like women's breasts, perhaps they remind them of breastfeeding times during infancy.
If only we women ourselves could feel less ambivalent about them!
DeleteNice ode to breasts. Mine are full moons that cause me to wish for crescents.
ReplyDeleteHa, don't we always wish for other than what we have? (How many girls want to be natural blondes? I would have swapped for dark hair instead!)
DeleteLike you, dear Rosemary .... they comfort me.
ReplyDeleteOh that's good! I'm glad to hear it.
DeleteLoving the body you have. I love this poem Rosemary. So easy and tender and forthright.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Audrey.
DeleteLiving (and learning while we do it) teaches us all sorts of wonders, doesn't it? Our entire existence can change so much (get better) when we start appreciating what we have.
ReplyDeleteLife really is amazing!
DeleteSadly, after a certain age, everything embarks on a downward trend. My own used to be quite perky, now I try to hoist them above waist-level!! Love the humor, love the honesty, Rosemary! Bravo
ReplyDeleteIt does help to keep a sense of humour!
DeleteAgeing and accepting a lovely narrative
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much💖love
Such a nice poem of acceptance. Age and use (nursing babies) do take their toll!
ReplyDeleteAcceptance is a pleasant place to reach.
DeleteI shall remain a gentleman and offer a tip of my hat to you, Rosemary. While something I did not expect to read and since perusing through the comments, it seems that there is some agreement among the ladies with your sentiment.
ReplyDeleteI celebrate your openness that sparked the conversation!
Thank you Joel.
DeleteWell...you are full of surprises... I have never read a poem about sagging tits before : )
ReplyDeleteI think being told I am full of surprises is one of the best compliments ever.
DeleteExcellent writing Rosemary. Engages one to think about grace in aging. I am pleased to join in at P&SU in this new year. Hope it’s a good one for all
ReplyDeleteAnd a graceful compliment, thank you. Good to have you joining in again.
Delete