The two poems below are by Sharon Olds, the New York State Poet for 1998 to 2000. She has won a number of important literary awards for her work over the years. Both poems are from her third published collection, The Gold Cell (published 1987 by Alfred A. Knopf as volume 25 in the Knopf Poetry Series).

THE POPE'S PENIS

It hangs deep in his robes, a delicate

clapper at the center of a bell.

It moves when he moves, a ghostly fish in a

halo of silver seaweed, the hair

swaying in the dark and the heat - and at night,

while his eyes sleep, it stands up

in praise of God.

OUTSIDE THE OPERATING ROOM OF THE SEX-CHANGE DOCTOR

Outside the operating room of the sex-change doctor, a tray of penises.

There is no blood. This is not Vietnam, Chile, Buchenwald. They were surgically removed under anaesthetic. They lie there neatly, each with a small space around it.

The anaesthetic is wearing off now. The chopped-off sexes lie on the silver tray.

One says "I am a weapon thrown down. Let there be no more killing."

Another says "I am a thumb lost in the threshing machine. Bright straw fills the air. I will never have to work again."

The third says "I am a caul removed from his eyes. Now he can see."

The fourth says "I want to be painted by Gericault, a still life with a bust of Apollo, a drape of purple velvet, and a vine of ivy leaves."

The fifth says "I was a dirty little dog, I knew he'd have me put to sleep."

The sixth says "I am safe. Now no one can hurt me."

Only one is unhappy. He lies there weeping in terrible grief, crying out "Father, Father!"