Women of Nepal Copyright © Cameron Hawke Smith 2010

Villanelle

From level palm of foot to the straight eyes
as if to walk were the heart of keeping still
straightness is where the woman’s beauty lies.

As she who under Himalayan skies
daily makes a mountain of her will
from level palm of foot to the straight eyes

to bear her bodyweight of necessities,
gas, water, petrol, or a pothole’s fill,
straightness is where the woman’s beauty lies;

or she who ladles out the bowls of rice,
like a squatting buddha rocking on a heel
from level palm of foot to the straight eyes;

or dazzling teacher whose fingers flick and rise
dancing to the words of a nursery drill,
straightness is where the woman’s beauty lies.

Like trees seeking the light of paradise
their grain hardened, and made unbendable;
from level palm of foot to the straight eyes
straightness is where the woman’s beauty lies.