BINDINGS

Tents billow in the distance

resisting a wind that seeks

to tear them down.

Close enough we’re almost there

but far enough they will not see us

stop, retreat behind some trees.

The trousers and tunics

borrowed from René

have served us well

as traveling clothes

but now we add the final detail:

heavy linen strips

to bind our breasts.

Because we’re born

with the ability to produce food

and sustain life, we are considered

weak.

I’d laugh if not for

the searing pain

as Zahra winds

the linen round my self.