Thought I'd throw out a curve ball on this one. Feeling fiesty today.
“What Do Women Want?”
I want a red dress.
I want it flimsy and cheap,
I want it too tight, I want to wear it
until someone tears it off me.
I want it sleeveless and backless,
this dress, so no one has to guess
what’s underneath. I want to walk down
the street past Thrifty’s and the hardware store
with all those keys glittering in the window,
past Mr. and Mrs. Wong selling day-old
donuts in their café, past the Guerra brothers
slinging pigs from the truck and onto the dolly,
hoisting the slick snouts over their shoulders.
I want to walk like I’m the only
woman on earth and I can have my pick.
I want that red dress bad.
I want it to confirm
your worst fears about me,
to show you how little I care about you
or anything except what
I want. When I find it, I’ll pull that garment
from its hanger like I’m choosing a body
to carry me into this world, through
the birth-cries and the love-cries too,
and I’ll wear it like bones, like skin,
it’ll be the goddamned
dress they bury me in.
- Kim Addonizio, from Tell Me
Feisty, fantastically freeing! Totally with you on this trip.
Posted by: Karen B. | February 02, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Very feisty - I love it
Posted by: Kate | February 02, 2007 at 12:50 PM
WOW! You (and Addonizio, of course!) have inspired me to go out this very weekend and get a red dress. WOW! I love this poem, and I thank you for bringing it into my world. Much thanks--
Posted by: kodachrome | February 02, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Just read the last 3 posts, so commenting on all 3. WOW! You're the only other person I know who's into The Phantom Tollbooth. Read it in 6th grade and LOVE it. And the red dress one--mmmmm. Any woman who thinks she doesn't have that fantasy ain't payin' attention.
Posted by: Laura | February 02, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Forgot to comment on the big green monster. Fear. Hmm. Never as bad when we can name them. Always worst at 3am. Sometimes lead to deep inner worlds--as yours clearly do.
Posted by: Laura | February 02, 2007 at 01:29 PM
Well, all right!
Posted by: Eileen | February 02, 2007 at 01:43 PM
you slut!
Posted by: maryse | February 02, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Totally posting that on my teacher bulliten board . . . it's my scrapbook of sorts. I'll keep it low where the kids can't see it as they are so used to seeing me in my normal school atire.
Posted by: Ava | February 02, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Ha!!
Posted by: Nora | February 02, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Great idea Ava - I'm printing it in bold RED letters and taping it to the fridge!!
Posted by: Nora | February 02, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Slinky, sexy, dangerous and seductive... yours is my favorite silent poetry reading yet!
Posted by: reluctantmango | February 02, 2007 at 03:36 PM
very very awesome! love it.
Posted by: Mandy | February 03, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Love. It.
Posted by: Kirsten | February 03, 2007 at 12:54 PM
every time i read this blog i realize a little more how much you rock!!
wonderful choice.
Posted by: amisha | February 03, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Cool poem choice! Thanks for the laugh!
Posted by: Knitting Bandit | February 03, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Hot damn! Now that's a poem!
Posted by: Jackie | February 04, 2007 at 04:45 AM
Love it!
Posted by: Dorothy B | February 04, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Oooo Mama!
Posted by: Carol | February 05, 2007 at 03:35 AM
wow. what an amazing poem. i've been meaning to comment for a few days, but i wanted to share a poem back so it took me a while. this is more the kind of poetry i've read recently:
O, lovely naptime.
You are better than birthdays
with the gifts you bring.
This is from Haiku Mama by Kari Anne Roy. It' a hilarious book of poems. Here's another one for fun:
Toddler lexicon:
"Mommy, my butt is sneezing."
Translate that one fast.
Thanks for reminding me of the non-Mommmy-focused poetry.
Posted by: Haley | February 05, 2007 at 07:00 AM
i LOVE it. Thank you!
Posted by: jennie | February 05, 2007 at 07:25 AM
What a great poem. I've been reading it out loud to my girlfriends. I've like it best of all the silent poetry I've read.
Posted by: everythingearin | February 05, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Love this: through
the birth-cries and the love-cries too.
:)
Posted by: frecklegirl jess | February 05, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Miss Scarlett | February 17, 2007 at 03:53 PM