We are born, then manufactured
how peculiar it is
that magazines tell me
how I should be a woman
when I was not born
with crossed legs
and hairless arms
and cherry lips
and peculiar still
is that these magazines
never think to mention
how much money
we would all save
(and corporations would lose)
if we all decided
not to starve ourselves
to fatten another’s wallet
if we all decided
we were our own
definition of beautiful
yes
how peculiar
it is to me
that we are born
and then manufactured
and made to be
each other’s
competition
rather than sisters;
how peculiar still
it is to me
that in the animal kingdom
males attract the females
with bright colours
and dances
and the females
are with choice
but in our world
these decisions are reversed
despite that we
are still animals
when it comes to
clawing at our
imperfections
and to be found appealing
I must paint myself
and preen myself
to even get a second glance
because when people look
at you
they do not see
your beautiful mind
or your hard work
or your won battles
or your laughter;
they see skin and
they do not see a soul
and this is what
they are told
to look for
and I will forever find it peculiar
that magazines tell me
how I should,
as a woman,
dress in my own skin.
____
I’ll wear the words on my skin
I’ll wear the words on my skin
in my honeyed smile
through the gentle graze
of my fingertips
against your skin;
tracing the veins on your wrist
in a meek attempt
to hint at hand-holding.
in my creased eyes
and open arms.
I’ll wear the words on my skin
because I tremble at the thought
of voicing the phrase aloud too often;
of wearing out the syllables;
fraying its fabric,
like my favourite jumper
holey and faded
from being worn countless times;
so I’ll wear them on my skin
like peaceful war paint
to show that I’ll fight for you
oh, yes
I’ll wear them until
I wear them out
because what we do
speaks louder
than anything
— I love you —
Words by Leeza von Alpen
Leeza is a writer and poet (both written and slam), and an English and History high school teacher. In her spare time, she treks through rainforests and star watches. She loves paperbacks, Hayao Miyazaki movies with milkless tea, and puns. You can follow her on Twitter@leezajayde and Instagram @leezajaydepoetry
Tulpa Magazine 