I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed

I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed Summary

The speaker begins by explaining that she is a woman and thus is subject to all the conditions of womanhood, including various desires and ideas. Therefore, the close physical presence of an unnamed addressee causes her to notice this addressee's attractiveness. It also makes her wish to feel the weight of this unnamed addressee on herself. The way that lust and desire work, the speaker says, is by quickening the pulse and awakening the body while simultaneously clouding judgment. As a result, the speaker is left feeling out of control, as if possessed by her attraction.

However, the speaker warns her addressee not to jump to any conclusions. Even though she's overcome by attraction, she doesn't feel love or even pity for this person. In fact, she says, she feels scorn for them. Sexual desire is an insufficient reason to make conversation the next time they encounter each other.