community of women

almost everything i do these days is around women. i hadn't realized how this had happened, but i understand why. i've been in need of women my whole life, but now i'm more aware of it than before.

tonight at belly dancing class, more skin was showing on everyone. there are at least thirty of us who are all lined up across the gym shaking and shimmying for all we're worth. one lady walked in late, after the instruction had been given. and i asked her,

you got it

no. i came in late.

i taught her quickly how to do what we were doing.

oh thank you

she said.

apparently she thought i was just asking to show off that i knew how to do it and she did not. that is so not what i'm about. and while it threw me off a bit, it wasn't hard to catch up. i would hope someone would do it for me, as i'll invariably be late to this class on certain occasions.

the teacher, all decked out, with cut arms and tiny hips that seem to move independent of the rest of her body says,

sexy ladies. let's make this a fantasy

.

and later,

it's all about the pose. exaggerate the pose.

so we're getting our coats on, and she says,

belly dance has always been only women. it's never been about dancing for a man. and sure there are men who do it, but they do it for bonding, communally. but for women, it's the community of women coming together. it's nice to have a large class.

and it felt that way. as we come together and shed our body hate. our crazy ideas of what is beautiful. our ingrained cultural biases to hips larger than twenty nine inches and breasts smaller than a handful.

certainly the dance is invigorating. but it is also a time for women to come together around a common theme and shed their selfconsciousness. and just be women, together.

my workout joint is also women only.

my place of employ is also women only.

i'm nicely surrounded by many breasts. many hips. many curves and differing body types. many differing styles. many differing life choices. it's much different than being around men all the time. for now, i find it much easier. for now, i find it incredibly comfortable and receptive. for now, i find it home.

the equivalent of the modern day river for washing clothes. the well for drawing water. we women have to come together sometime. let it be now.