he knows better
cutting the mango
with a blunt knife
The gynaecologist places her hands on the edge of the polished table, tilts forward, not to gain momentum and stand up, but to lean further back in her chair and watch the woman in her late forties sitting on the other side of the table.
"So your GP sent you here to have me help you with the oedema." The woman nods. She adds details, including that they also occur off-cycle and more on the left side.
standing still the ocean's touch
Both women pause. "I can't help you there, I don't know what he was thinking referring you to me. Unless it's hormonal and the pill to regulate that is out of the question because you've already had sinus vein thrombosis." It's in her medical records, everywhere. The woman smiles shakily, agrees, "Yes, I also wondered why he referred me to you", starts talking about something else, and it's on to the usual annual check-up. In fact, she chats on for quite a while. More than usual.
The gynaecologist still feels the hard surface of the desk pressing on her fingers. As the woman is about to leave the room, they both nod to each other once more, eyes narrowed.
mansplaining
a pitaya in Guatemala
pi & anne 
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