The Looking Glass: A Response

This is my response to a beautiful poem by Kamala Das titled The Looking Glass. You can read the original here-
http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/kamala-das/the-looking-glass-11/


The Looking Glass: A Response

Getting a man to love you is easy
But ask yourself first if you are willing to love him
back. Don’t stand nude before the glass with him
don’t let him see himself the stronger one
when you know that in your softness and youth
you can break him when you leave. Question your
infatuation. Notice the imperfection
Of his ways, his body weakening as he looks
at you, the shy walk across the room,
Dropping hints, and the timid way in which he
shows you his penis. All the gross details that might
make you fall out of love with him. Offer him your worst,
offer him what makes you who you are, the stink of
your longings, the burden of anger between the breasts,
The monthly stab of menstrual blood, and all your
Endless sorrows. Oh yes, getting
A man to love is easy, but living
With him afterwards may have to be
Faced. A living without love when you move
Around, meeting strangers, with your eyes that
keep searching, with ears that keep listening to new voices
wondering how they would sound when they say your name and your
Body which now longs for a new touch
to bring it to life, as it now stands hardened and aloof.