For Kristy Cons 'Identities' Exhibition, ArtSpace, Chatham

This is Woman

On the occasion of artist Kristy Cons’ exhibit, “Identities” (January 23, 2016)

“Fatty!” the tosser-lescents

shame me,

their fellow female,

as I trot by,

trying to lose this excess.

Why bother?

Underwear cutting

  soft flesh;

foolish– like a circus

bear on a tricycle-

rolls at War with the worlds

around,

but I don’t have to be:

I will paint my nails black.

Stand on my head.

Jump rope (even double-dutch

if I so please).

I will wear square specs, and

let my long, luxurious

Big

Hair go,

down

stroking over those

skinny stragglers that

prod and

poke.

I will ride

My big butt

by.

Because this is

woman.

- Kara Smith, poet Ghobhainn