...are starting to get on my nerves. I mean belt something out for heaven's sake. Sing with some feeling. I came to this realization the other day when we were cleaning house listening to a Pandora mix that would occasionally throw something like that out. I started to get really irritated every time I heard a woman sing with some soft, breathy, whiny voice.
Which brings me to my poem and poet today.
Marge Piercy.
If she were a musician she would NOT sing with a soft voice. Girlfriend has got some lungs, literarily speaking. I am just getting to know contemporary poets, so if anyone would like to jump in and correct anything I say, feel free. Marge has a strong voice for feminism as you will very clearly experience here. Like most poets I read, I don't love everything she's written, but this poem has really left an impression on me.
When I read this poem to my husband, he said that he thought she was dark and broody. I took this more as a hyperbolic cautionary tale about how we as a society look at women. For me personally it's about raising daughters with healthy self-awareness.
It does have a way of making one a little uncomfortable, I admit.
But, I don't think that that's a bad thing necessarily. If we were never uncomfortable we would have never got off the floor and started to walk.
Barbie Doll
I'm curious about what you think? Do you love it? Hate it? What message do you get from it? Post a comment and let me know how this poem affects you? Or does it?
Which brings me to my poem and poet today.
Marge Piercy.
If she were a musician she would NOT sing with a soft voice. Girlfriend has got some lungs, literarily speaking. I am just getting to know contemporary poets, so if anyone would like to jump in and correct anything I say, feel free. Marge has a strong voice for feminism as you will very clearly experience here. Like most poets I read, I don't love everything she's written, but this poem has really left an impression on me.
When I read this poem to my husband, he said that he thought she was dark and broody. I took this more as a hyperbolic cautionary tale about how we as a society look at women. For me personally it's about raising daughters with healthy self-awareness.
It does have a way of making one a little uncomfortable, I admit.
But, I don't think that that's a bad thing necessarily. If we were never uncomfortable we would have never got off the floor and started to walk.
Barbie Doll
This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:
You have a great big nose and fat legs.
She was healthy, tested intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.
She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her legs
and offered them up.
In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:
You have a great big nose and fat legs.
She was healthy, tested intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.
She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her legs
and offered them up.
In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.
I'm curious about what you think? Do you love it? Hate it? What message do you get from it? Post a comment and let me know how this poem affects you? Or does it?
