157 No, do not leave me now, do not abort, when I have grown Within your male flesh -- from an alien embryo of woman, When you have formed my iris from the moisture of your voice, And built for me bones from your bones, to feel: my limbs are pushing You from inside. Do not expel. I know your every thought, Your every mood. Don't you remove. I'm spelled in every sentence Written by you. Don't spill me out -- my blood is mixed with yours. Do not forget, when I am feeding on your substance daily. Wait till I'm ready to preserve myself -- to fight the fear Of leaving you, strive with the horror of your aching absence, Till I can breathe myself, and till I carry you with me -- Do not abort, leave me, remove me not, don't you expel me.







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IRENE CÆSAR
Confined Verse
Collected Poems

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