Thanks to everyone for previous careful readings and
tactful suggestions.  Don't spare me on this one.
Spring-board: 'In the room the women come and go
talking of Michelangelo' (Albert Prufrock alias TSE).


--               Alternative

    In the room the women come and go
    talking of kids and menstrual flow
    defaulting fathers and the CSA
    One of them sits an exam next week;
    'Men' she dismisses without absolution but
    'Women are great: they help and nurture me'.
    I feel strangely furtive about my own liaison.
    We have brought food to share
    and after this communion
    the women's massage class resumes

    in the other room perfumed by palma christi,
    arachis, sassafras and basic
    almond.  We are apprenticed to effleurage
    petrissage, tapotement.  Areas of tautness
    are located, especially sited
    between the shoulder-blades where we women
    store up tension, as if prepared
    for global shortage.

    In this room the floor to ceiling windows
    are uncurtained; outside,it seems,
    there are no lurking voyeurs; the shadows groove
    into the unkempt lawns; the former mansion
    twitches with the coming of the evening.
    Our leader ensures we close with relaxation;
    exhorts us to be on time tomorrow, Sunday;
    suggets meanwhile we practice on a partner.

    There is a rustling of partings and promises
    from the women
    in the room...

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