OBOE
The unhurried echo
of an oboe,
attuned femaleness
of sound,
contains me.
Chromosomes of Woman,
bestowed on me
in my wombed beginning,
make me
a sounding reed,
like the oboe.
Chromosomes of Woman,
my manifest prerogative,
make me
subject to no restrictions
of scale.
Like the oboe
I am the unhurried echo
of female sovereignty
trailing
the wind.
© Ana Elsner
The unhurried echo
of an oboe,
attuned femaleness
of sound,
contains me.
Chromosomes of Woman,
bestowed on me
in my wombed beginning,
make me
a sounding reed,
like the oboe.
Chromosomes of Woman,
my manifest prerogative,
make me
subject to no restrictions
of scale.
Like the oboe
I am the unhurried echo
of female sovereignty
trailing
the wind.
© Ana Elsner
From 'CIPHERS OF UNCOMMON ORIGIN -Poems by Ana Elsner'.
Reprinted by permission
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I have been playing the oboe for over five years now. This poem really touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to see Ana Elsner reading this poem at the 'Poetry in Black & White' event held at the SFPL. It carries a clear message of female pride and independence by way of a comparison with a musical instrument.
ReplyDeleteVery well conceived and crafted.