This is a favorite poem of mine by Barbara Kingsolver (in her poetry collection Another America). She is one of my favorite authors (The Poisonwood Bible, The Bean Trees). I like to read it when I'm having one of those "bad hair" days to remind me my frustrations are just so trivial. I'm sure I'm violating all kinds of copyright laws by posting this here. The poem is entitled Reveille--which means "a signal to arise." Warning: contains anatomical terminology that may make you blush!
Reveille
by Barbara Kingsolver
I am the woman whose flesh
does not move when she walks,
the nipple-less,
the bloodless, sweatless woman
who cries copious tears from the pressure
of all other prohibited secretions.
I am painted in the colors of no flower
that ever really bloomed,
I do not smell like any living thing.
I am the woman at war with body hair: who
curls her oriental hair,
straightens her African hair,
garnishes her eyelids with hair
and removes it from her eyebrows,
pursues it and relentlessly destroys it,
engaged in war with her mammalian origins.
Literally you have seen me a million times:
the radically altered female who doesn't stand out
in the crowd
of radically altered females,
I remain because
the potential of my body is a universe.
If I should abandon the battle
and turn my pious fury on something
less persistent, more conqureable than my sex,
if I should go away to war
and leave my fields behind, unmowed,
unmanicured, and let the weeds spring up,
if I were to become
the animal that I am, then
what?
Does anyone else ever feel like this?. . . as if the things we do to ourselves in the name of "Beauty" really just distracts us of from real potential and strength? Or that we are sabotaging our own gender by trying to keep up with--or one up--each other in the beauty arena? Sometimes I think it's more about competition with our own sex than for being "pretty" for the male species. Just think of what we could accomplish if we didn't feel obligated to spend our time on such trivial pursuits!!! I know, I'm waxing idealistic, but I just don't like waxing at all! I want off this treadmill!
I stopped trying to be pretty for other women long ago. It is true what you said. Now, if I get prettied up it's because I want to. You should publish your thoughts more often!!
ReplyDeleteHeather, this is Jenn Jenkins... you know, your long lost friend from your OLD ward who lives just down the street, but well, I still never see you anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog from Sarah Parkin's blog. I'm loving reading all the happenings of the Jensen clan. I have a blog too if you're interested. It's private though... (I know, SUCH a pain.) I'll get your email and send you an invite.
We miss you guys terribly. :) P.S. I can't believe Brooke is 12.
I am loving you waxing idealistic--it is the only waxing I prefer as well. AMEN to your thoughts. I have felt the same way numerous times when my kids have asked me about make-up and why I am putting that "black stuff on my eyes." I say,"Because it makes me feel pretty---Because it's what ladies have decided looks pretty--Because everyone does it." Then I think, it is really stupid that I'm spending so much time putting "black stuff on my eyes" and whose to say it looks good anyway. Loved the post today--because I didn't put any on all day. Now instead of feeling lazy, I feel liberated. Thanks.
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