when the man journeys to the
provinces
the woman combs her own
hair
when the man conquers
kingdoms
the woman feels her skull
turn into the moon
when the man climbs
mountains
the woman’s cries turn to
sweat on her lip
when the man sails his ship
into the bay
the woman discovers a grape
in her mouth
when the man leaves his
island
the woman smells honey and
water the same
when the man catches
fish
the woman’s ears are filled
with the sea, all seven
when the man builds
dwellings
the woman rests on her
chin
when the man polishes his
instruments
the woman’s profile complains
to her
when the man points to the
stars
the woman’s eyes change
colour
when the man tames
horses
the woman finds a rose for
her cheeks
when the man kills
people
the woman counts the years
lived by infants
and, at death, when the man
sees the outline, the image,
of his own face
the woman dying sees the
outside world reflected
in the floor by her bed