Before long the word “still” ‘creeps
into polite conversations and follows a person
wherever she goes:

Are you still writing?
Are you still in that job?
Are you still doing that other job?
the one that didn’t impress us when you first described it
Are you still in sales?
Are you still in accounting?
Are you still with him?
Are you still seeing her?
Are you still separated and lonely?
 
Yes. I’m still here.

And you?  

Are you still ugly?
Still haven’t fixed that nose?
Still haven’t consulted an expert for that skin problem?
Still not exercising?
Still in the same boring marriage?
Still making excuses for the children?
Still shopping at Target for all your wardrobe needs?

I still do my own stunts.

It use to be done on a tightrope
or a trapeze

That’s what women did
concentrating daily on keeping balanced
from one foot to the next
wavering
without  a net

Now we need to do more than just
walk the fine line
suspended over the cold, cold ground
strewn with last season’s lilacs
we are nostalgic for the days
of dancing backward wearing heels
at least there was a partner with us
holding the tips of our fingers
as we spun out of control

But this juggling trick
all the saws running at once
the noise is deafening
the tools are heavier, sharper  and
drown out the dancing music

Not that dancing backward and
balancing on a thin rope
wasn’t exciting – some even said it was fulfilling
but only because it takes full attention
Sometimes there was applause

And it looked so impressive for a woman
to balance on a tightrope and fly on the trapeze
and tango
simultaneously
It was so far to fall –  

but now juggling had been added
to the program

worse
amateurs do it all the time
using soft bean bags
Calling out - it’s easy.