Vagina Exhibit

.
my 1st time

part of the vagina festival
(love those 2 words next to each other)
i study the vagina
portraits by myself
i clench at the
pierced ones tighten
at the old ones and odd-looking
ones i know my
face reveals a
touch of horror
and maybe some guilt for
the horror
i stay
examine these
close-ups of that
mysterious region
"down there"

..
my 2nd time

no festival this year
exhibit's in the
photographer's apartment
i go determined
to get through this and be
richer for it
there are more portraits this time
i stare at each
then leave convinced i am
overdue for a long
between-the-thighs
look in the mirror

...
my 3rd time

last chance
before the portraits become
a book's pages
i bring acceptance
and a friend
we so enjoy
commenting to each other

even more portraits this time
unfolding moments
my very large-breasted
friend i've known over 3
decades steps close and whispers
she has reason to believe she was
born with both organs