Reflections on Sex Lessons

I aimed to be
loved, or at least necessary.
I didn’t know
I could say no.
Pointed at my body:
This old thing? Just slipped it on.
Later, I said no
but my voice was only inside.
I had studied at the school
of the encrypted. Father’s
teasing, nameless women,
Penthouses, Playboys
under the beds, crumpled.
Mother’s slim magazine lessons
Dictating: stay skinny
keep your man happy
dinner in 30 minutes or less.

Dinner in 30 minutes. Or less
keeping your man happy.
Dictating: stay skinny
mothers. Slim magazine lessons
under the beds. Crumpled
Penthouses, Playboys
teasing. Nameless women
of the encrypted fathers.
I had studied at the school
but my voice was only inside.
Later, I said no.
This old thing. Just slipped it on,
pointed at my body.
I could say no.
I didn’t know.
Loved, or at least necessary
I aimed to be.

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Karen Elizabeth Sharpe is a poetry editor at The Worcester Review. Her chapbook, Prayer Can Be Anything, is forthcoming with Finishing Line Press (2023). Her poems have or will soon appear in Split Rock Review, Ocean State Review, West Trade Review, Mom Egg Review, and Catalyst, among others.