An Ode to Women in Art

by Olivia Mahabir

Your truth,

Bathed in the essence - of everything not you,

To you I see in my dreams -

Of wanting to brush away tears,

Of wanting to follow your curves,

Of wanting you that’s without payment,

Image credit: Fuu J on Unsplash

How many of you were payment?

So close yet so far away -

On a distant sea

I glimpse you,

On a moonlit road

I dream you,

On a heavy market day

I see you,

Yet, the you is obscured -

by everything that the world of men can’t see

Yet nothing that the soul of women can’t be.

To the you that I view -

I’ll replace with hands I don’t know,

and shampoo I’m unsure of,

I’ll build a you -

To create a beautiful thing,

Not heeded by kings and queens,

Only lived -

Only loved -

Only in -

Of you,

From me,

To you,

***

Olivia Mahabir

Olivia Maya Jem Mahabir is a vibrant 20-year-old living in Trinidad. She is passionate about advocacy and has a love for arts and cultures - which she endeavours to portray through her poetry. You can view more of her poems on her Instagram account @lotus_spring13.