A man should watch

his woman’s hands carefully,

for in these origami fans

folded graciously over her knee

are a million subtleties.

When necessary a wise woman keeps

despair in her hands,

while the rest of her body mimics

the person opposite her.

But when scolded, a woman sits

with her back as flat

and straight as a wall;

tittering and smiling,

while her hands

crawl across her armchair-

black widows poised for attack.