Displacement
Maria Gregorio
She is no name.
She is size and shape.
Neck to wall
she’s tacked up on plaster
Silent as trees, yet
hollowed.
Half open mouth of
hanging display – body
unfolded, glossed
thick or thin – anything
curved half moon
where it can be held
between his fists.
Throat-locked.
Bent in horse
position. Every angle but heart
exposed.
Daughters mimic her
puckered lips too,
make the grown ups
fawn –
sneakers and denim
are of the past. Balance
on heels while split
above a calendar, selling
this way to stature.
No need to teach.
It’s on Daddy’s wall
and Mommy’s mirror.
She is size and shape.
Neck to wall
she’s tacked up on plaster
Silent as trees, yet
hollowed.
Half open mouth of
hanging display – body
unfolded, glossed
thick or thin – anything
curved half moon
where it can be held
between his fists.
Throat-locked.
Bent in horse
position. Every angle but heart
exposed.
Daughters mimic her
puckered lips too,
make the grown ups
fawn –
sneakers and denim
are of the past. Balance
on heels while split
above a calendar, selling
this way to stature.
No need to teach.
It’s on Daddy’s wall
and Mommy’s mirror.
Listen to Maria read the poem here:
Working notes
I began these poems from a strong sense of emotion, which throughout my life, have been told directly or indirectly should be kept under control. As women, when we express our emotions passionately, society will often oppress, suppress, demonize, or chastise us for doing so. Perhaps when emotion is at its most raw, it is like an animal instinct, which is why people fear it. Creativity allows us to express our emotions non-violently, while deepening our relationships and wisdom. I believe that to be able to express emotion about ourselves and others is a feminine, earthy, and natural quality that everyone has, regardless of gender. We can choose how we express it, if we do so at all.
About the author
Maria Gregorio was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in the U.S. Her work has been published in an anthology, Voices of Brooklyn (Face to Face Press, 2000) and on-line with New Trespass Magazine UK (2012). Maria has performed as a featured poet in numerous venues throughout New York City and London. She currently works as a social worker and lives in Queens, New York.