wrapped in sunshine
bathed in lava light
magnified, yet dimished
expected to exude happiness
always
even in the midst of calamity
the shell can’t crack
ever
the fantasy can’t die
they exist to be projected
like movies on a white screen
scripted
they switch and sway
creating a hypnotic rhythm
heels don’t ever touch the ground
they are angels
and witches
and whores
and princesses
all in one
all wearing plastic smiles
they laugh too loud
drink too hard
they are everyone’s friend
they are too pretty to be anyone’s real enemy
never having a bad day
all is well with the world
even when it’s rainy
and cold
and they are down to their last dime
a smile will solve all of their
ills
just smile
ting!
let me see those pearly whites
irises are straining
jaws locked into place
backs erect
tummys taunt
calves popping
what a specimen you are
sidewalks are catwalks
can you twirl for me ma?
yes, just like that
can i have some of what you’re eating?
you have no right to enjoy an ice cream cone alone
on a hot day
pretty girls must share everything
their souls
bodies
and of course those magical smiles
every moment is joyous for a pretty girl
nail polish doesn’t chip
gas tanks stay full
food is plentiful
rent is free
student loans forgiven
the only bad thing a pretty girl can ever do
is
cry
© 2012 – 2014, TamekaMullins. All rights reserved.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You capture it all so well. Great poem.
Thanks so much Jessica. Bless you!
Brilliant! Really like this poem.
Coming from such an amazing poet as yourself Neil, I am truly honored! Thank you!
Ooo ooo…so was that a praise or a mockery on pretty gals? Very creative Tam…Brilliant!
Love
MAni
Oh my. What a timely post, Tameka. Everything you wrote, everything to which you gave voice…yes. We’ve all been put in that position before as women, and you gave it such eloquent description.
I will say that in the midst of a maelstrom of tears in my own life recently, with not a speck of makeup on my face, my hair a mess and me feeling like I looked a complete wreck, someone told me I was beautiful. It blew my mind, but it also reminded me that there are occasionally those Golden people in the world who do let us be authentic. Real. Flawed and fallible. And if we’re truly fortunate, they allow us to cry and do not see us as diminished because of it.
Keep burning the pages, sister. You are so talented. <3
- Dawnie
Brilliantly written and so moving with that twist at the end. Loved it!
The shell can’t crack ever…
Culture enslaves women to their masks hiding the real person.
The poem speaks of how women become objects, false images, and superficial facades, “they exist to be projected like movies on a white screen.” Unreal. Shallow.
“Scripted.” They are handed the part to play from birth, all the roles that never define the genuine soul.
And so they learn to be everyone’s friend. Except for those who matter most.
If she can’t cry, she’s half-dead inside.
How well you have portrayed the “pretty girl” mon amie!
My question to writers,
What walls are you facing that could be removed a handful at a time?
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com/2012/07/inch-by-inch.html
I’m giving you a cyber-hug as I say thank you Dawn. It is nice when people recognize that beauty goes deeper than skin level and it can be a comfort during trying times.
I wrote this piece because I have experienced some things and have seen other women on the street go through the same and it can eat at you after awhile. Everyone likes to feel valued and get compliments, but at times you start to feel like a science project if you’re always expected to be smiling, perky and bopping to life’s beat all of the time. Every person deserves moments of reflection without having to bare their teeth, share their food and pose! LOL! Thanks as always for your engagement dear. Your comments always add value.
Hi Mani! I wanted to shine a light on women in this poem and show that we are more than just shells. Definitely a praise piece! But, if someone interprets it the other way around I can’t refute it, because art is digested differently by everyone. Thanks for the visit lady! 🙂
Hi Martha! Thanks so much dear heart! I had been missing poetry. I guess after writing 30 poems in April I needed a break, but I’m back! Blessings to you!
Debra! Yes! You broke it down sister. That was exactly what I was trying to convey in this piece. Men and women have been conditioned to play certain roles and because of it we don’t communicate very well at times.
We expect all men to love sports and be able to fix cars and repair home appliances, all women are supposed to look like fashion models when they wake up in the morning. A pretty girl/woman can never have serious thoughts while walking down the street or she is deemed evil and mean. We need to let people be and have their moments. Thanks so much for adding your voice to the discussion!
You said it Tameka. It isn’t easy and it isn’t right to live under other people’s perceptions and expectations of you…
I couldn’t breathe like that ~ God wishes us to be free:*
Hello.
WoW! This poem certainly packs a punch! I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it…a woman’s true beauty lies in her imperfections. I do not fit the “normal” man. I am not in the least bit “handy”, I don’t like to get my hands dirty and a simple flower can bring me to tears, but that doesn’t make me any less of a man. What I might lack in one quality, I make up for in another. Excellent poetry, especially that twist at the end! Thank you sharing.
http://thoughtsofbeautyinthestillnessofdawn.blogspot.com/2012/07/goddess-of-fantasy.html
Andy, I love getting a male perspective when it comes to pieces like this and I truly appreciate what you have shared. Thanks for dispelling so many silly myths about men. Thank God for guys like you. I know you would never behave in the manner that is described in this poem. You’re too much of a gentleman. Please don’t ever change! 🙂
So true dear Melissa! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Beautiful and powerful.
Thanks Janaki!
Great poem, Tameka. Society puts so many expectations on women.
Thanks Sweepy. Yes, WE do! Men and women put these expectations out there that are difficult to live up to.