Ancient Hips

Standing small but proudly
in a museum case,
a figure from Ancient Egypt,
surprisingly showed a half
nude woman from the
waist up, with a bikini
style bottom,
wide hips and big thick legs,
hands meeting over her
slightly protruding belly

Was this an idealized woman
of rich and vast fertility when
shaming was not in the lack
of a slender, graceful physique

Was the only shame in those
times the inability to
bring forth life in her body

Our bodies have always symbolized
so much it is difficult to know how
to honor them in a way that feels
beautiful beyond a certain ideal,
ever shifting

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Other Paintings by Susan L. Pollet

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Susan L. Pollet is a published author of books in multiple genres and a fine artist who is a member of the Art Students League in New York City. Susan’s poetry and art have been published in various literary publications and in online shows.