|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PRICE OF WOMEN, by KAREN SWENSON Poet's Biography
First Line: Every woman, you say, has her price
Last Line: And asked for my life?
Subject(s): Trade; Women
First Line: Every woman, you say, has her price
Last Line: And asked for my life?
Subject(s): Trade; Women
Every woman, you say, has her price:
a house with trees and tricycles,
a yellow porcelain sink that matches
shine to shine the kitchen cabinets,
and some are more expensive
requiring Tiffany's and other labels
draped over their luncheon chairs.
These are the bargains of love
or quiet or just another body to be by.
But are they? Isn't this the way we
counter what we will not give, a game
of poker-chip exchange - an emerald for
emotion, not an equal sign
but the ellipse of instead of -
because what would I do if
you or anyone walked into the room
in the middle of the commercial
and asked for my life?
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER
A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE
JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS
THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS
TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD
LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH
GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV