The art museum in South Bend
Stands right downtown
On Michigan St.,
Down the block from a 10-story hotel
And the event center
That stages musicals, plays and concerts.
.
I take a sidewalk
Offset from the street 20 feet
To get in.
.
Stooped at the entrance
Is a boy of about 14
Looking moderately ornery.
.
I walk in and see three women —
Two grown, standing,
And one, younger, sitting at the front desk
And greeting me with a smile.
.
I wander over to one of the exhibits,
Then to another one,
And another one,
Thinking,
It’s incredibly stuffy in here.
.
I think,
I am in a woman’s habitat.
.
Over in another room,
Out the window,
I see a delivery dude,
Scowling with a hurried,
Stressed look and disposition.
.
So inside the museum
I see nothing but women
And outside the museum
I see nothing but men.
.
But it feels right going into that museum
And I don’t take any pictures
And I don’t post anything on social media
.
And I walk out of there,
Getting a professional smile
From the pretty girl who avoids my stare,
To forever be known as
That weird dude who went into
The art museum in South Bend.