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My Vagina Says Hey
by Coleman HoughMy vagina says “hey”
My vagina
“hey”
like a hey that gives me hope
hello?
“hey”
it comes
quick as that
soft
“hey”
insistent
“hey”
like listen there’s more
there’s more listen
“hey”
my vagina
like an uneven heart
ready
for the unexpected guest at 3 am
“hey”
hello?
and I look in every mirror
checking lips
wondering if they’re too dry
too chapped
somewhere a stain
some clutter that could fall out
embarrass me
“hey!”
oh
“hey!”
shhhhhhhhh
hope not and he
is remembering by now the last time
we did this in secret
wondering if he will
stay longer this time
“hey”
not now
“hey”
oh god
“hey”
like an endless purple haze
or walking down a hallway that
looks long from drugs
you are leaning away from
“hey”
I remember the Beethoven
you will play the Beethoven
she said it
such authority in her voice
no lovers even
though she had been married long ago
mother said
that it was better
to have loved and lost
than to have never
loved at all
rides home
in her VW Bug
I would fill up
with grateful smiles and run
the rest of the driveway hopeful that I would quit piano
someday and have one great love
“hey”
not that, I know
“hey”
something else, and then
“hey”
like I am ready
oh
like I have a badge
recognize me now.
hey
my vagina says hey.
Contributor
Coleman HoughCOLEMAN HOUGH is a poet and playwright. She wrote the screenplay for Full Frontal, released by Miramax, and directed by Steven Soderbergh.
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