Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy

A fan from Ireland sent me this poem by Marge Piercy which reminded her of my work:


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.


…Thanks Nicola!

2 comments:

Lynette said...

I wrote an essay about this poem in high school! And I made an altered book using it in my artists books class. I really like this poem (even though its actually very sad).

Anonymous said...

this poem is the best!