The Underneath World
Everything was hidden by crisp
cottons & mohair cardigans that I could stretch
over my little-bit-too-big stomach & down
below my kneecaps. One
time I ripped the rear
seam of my madras shorts, my back
side & underwear exposed. I shuffled
from Dairy Queen straight home, five
slow blocks. I crouched down to pull
my sweater past my bottom & as I
waddled I revealed not one
fleshy patch of bottom. My mom
was over 70 the first time
I saw her breasts. I eased her out
of her lacy Maidenform after
the surgeon removed an acorn-sized
tumor. With a yellow
striped dish towel I wiped
her back to the tailbone, sponged
her underarms. They brought
to mind the tenderness of a sliced
peach. “I hate for you to see this,”
she confessed. But I was secretly
overjoyed. She was finally human
to me & I was taking care of her.
17 thoughts on "The Underneath World "
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the secret life of seams-
i love all this undressing.
making a mummy
in reverse.
Making a mummy in reverse. What a great concept!
Love …waddled bottom…..love it !
Get a room!
unwrapping
rip and roar!
What a heartfelt turn this takes when we get to mother. Love how you’ve captured that moment, the tenderness and the line “I hate for you to see this” which speaks so many volumes about a generation and body perception. Really very nicely done.
I like the discipline you’ve brought to the poem in this new version, the tighter lines, the standardization of the stanzas. Here’s mastery.
That’s exactly what I did. I can’t believe your remembered the first version and noticed how I’d cleaned it up.
I remember a lot, Linda, especially about your poems.
I love how you loved her more after this
“They brought// to mind the tenderness of a sliced/ peach.” Especially beautiful lines.
So tender and beautiful. The title contains so many meanings – Good choice!
the quote makes it real and powerful
to mind the tenderness of a sliced
peach. “I hate for you to see this,”
she confessed. But I was secretly
overjoyed. She was finally human
to me & I was taking care of her.
I have heard several women in my lifetime say just such.
And I love the title.
I find it a pleasure to get to know you through your poetry, Linda.
Wow! You literally uncovered something here.
Brilliant title. So tender. It really moved me.
This is a beautiful poem, Linda.