Divine Femininity, A Lotion Rarely Used Poem by Chuy Amante

In the deep, dry cracks
of a man's cruel world
in the basement
behind the rows
of filing cabinets
and adding machines,
behind the books
is a dusty cabinet,
under key and lock,
which contains
a beautiful, ornate tin,
that emanates the finest
smell and contains the
balm of youth, softness
and lovingkindness.

It's pity that its
rare use has allowed
corrosion to set in.
Now it is not so easily
opened and whose
color and smell is dying
as time passes...