Cate Roser

A critic at The New York Times, referencing another critic, has dubbed this era

A “no-context context.” It’s because of “semiotics” and Lil Nas X wearing three outfits

At the Met Gala. I just learned what exegesis means.

I guess I have a lot to feel sorry about. Wanting too badly to be in good

Places with good people and not being very discerning about my definition

Of “good.” Wanting to talk about text like a man,

With the longest, most distended sentences, 

Wanting a vertical belly button and a low hairline.

Everything bad happens at once, makes a tall wreckage

At my feet. I wait for some gale to blow it over.  

This will be the year I stop writing about men. There are three in

This poem, if you count the two critics. I assume the two critics are men.

I don’t think a woman would say “no-context context.”

I think women are born in context and never really change.