April BJP

Wednesday, April 29, 2009


April's project is based on the poem What Do Women Want by Kim Addonizio. I've been thinking a lot this month about what I want. I'm not sure I've come to any definite conclusion but I know one thing for sure - I want a red dress!


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.

12 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Cool Poem!! Wherever did you find it?!? Your page depicts it perfectly. I like the poem....

robin michelle said...

Thanks Carol! I have one of her books, The Poet's Companion, and I was looking online for some of her poems & found this one. It's definitely one of my favorites!

Timaree said...

What a great page. I like your big heart surrounding the dream. It sounds like the poet doesn't want to be pinned down by what everyone expects of her. I can sure understand that. What if I want to be different today than yesterday? Hope you get your red dress or its equivalent.

Timaree said...

When you mentioned The Poet's Companion it rang a bell. I went and looked to find I've got the book and just haven't read it yet. After this poem, I've got to get started!

robin michelle said...

Thanks freebird! I'm so glad it prompted you to find your book. It's a great book and I've found other poems I like from reading it also. I hope you enjoy it!

pam T said...

WOW! yet another great page and great poem! I love it!
I do believe this is a book I am going to be looking for next time in the "big city...."
thanks!

Marty S said...

You made me want that red dress, too! Great!
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Anonymous said...

Thanks Pam & Marty!

Robin said...

Powerful poem and powerful piece! What a gift you give to us (your readers) with these poems and the way you personalize them with your beads! Amazing! Thank you! Robin A.

robin michelle said...

Thanks Robin - I'm so pleased that people are enjoying them!

Padparadscha said...

Beautiful piece and great poem. I want a red dress too ! Actually, I have one, guess should wear it more :o)

robin michelle said...

Thanks Helene - definitely wear your red dress more often!

 
One More Stitch. Design by Pocket