Pantoum for the Pussy

Megan Alyse

The doctor says my vagina looks perfect.
I don’t want any more babies, I tell her.

I’ve been wondering what it must be like elsewhere.
I’m in a country of pussy grabbing and pink pussy hats.

I don’t want any more babies. I tell her
One and done, one and done, I’m doing just fine.

I’m in a country of pussy grabbing and pink pussy hats,
Means everyone is fighting for some kind of power.

One and done, one and done, I’m doing just fine
I tell my friends. I struggle with motherhood

Meaning I’m fighting for some kind of power.
No one believes me. They reassure me instead.

I tell my friends I struggle with motherhood
Again, but this time in the form of an example,

And no one believes me, they reassure me instead
Even after I tell them how little I play with her.

Again, but this time in the form of an example
I describe my daughter in absence like a shadow.

Even after I tell them how little I play with her
Everyone wants to tell me I’m a good mother.

I describe my daughter in absence like a shadow.
I’ve been wondering what it must be like elsewhere.


Everyone wants to tell me I’m a good mother.
My doctor says my vagina looks perfect.

Megan Alyse is a writer, artist, and editor. Her debut book of poems, Bone Fish Girl, is forthcoming September ‘24 with Game Over Books. You can find some of her recent work appearing in Atlanta Review, Leon Literary Review, Reverie Magazine, and Scavengers Lit. Megan holds a BA in English from Weber State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers. She lives, works, and writes in Savannah, GA. To connect with her, please visit meganalyse.com or connect with her on Instagram at @megs_alyse.

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