This one was screaming out for an after—thank you, Lauren, I look forward to the book!

I love it when women

after Lauren Mantis

write poetry after each other /

to each other / with each other /

eat cake / laugh audibly, showing

their teeth / dance like everyone

is watching and they don’t give

a damn / lift weights / use power

tools / hold hands / kiss / cut

their own hair / wear hoodies /

grow tulips / become doctors

and healers / and fulfil their potential /

I could go on… how long do you have?

————

Calling anyone who loves women to list what their “I love it when women” is.