Deadly steps

A slender body

looks somewhat weak,

clamped and stamped 

as ununique

in the shadow of a ballerina.

A balletic physique 

maybe a bit flat,

unable to fight back

with the lack

of a rounded defence

when challenged by a real woman.

A real woman

becomes shrunken,

unmouldable to the plastic curves,

inadequate for Ken

if stepped on by a model.

A model

can't hold her place

when the waist 

is pulled tight

and she's pushed aside by a supermodel.

But the ideal is discontinued

when it crosses from

sexy into sickly.

Problem is looks are subjective

and the boundary is prone to shifting.  

Author's Note

Be happy in yourself because you will never reach the other side of the widening chasm and if you could there would be no reward worth the risk.
Thanks for all comments

Reviews

[Wesley Dingler]

I know this is a real and sad commentary, but it made me laugh a little. I feel the same way, being beauty in the river kind of person. The natural beauty and talent has always been more attractive to me, as well.
I think for some, they feel that the biggest risk in life is being them self, and it's like it scares them.
I love way you hammered your message herein.

Thanks for sharing, and keep up the great work, Emma.

[BlackPrince]

I always have and still believe in the natural beauty of a woman.
As far as I'm concerned, unless there's a valid medical reason, rather than following the herd like sheep, there is absolutely no need for plastic surgery for a woman to attract a man like me.

'A real woman
becomes shrunken,
unmouldable to the plastic curves,
inadequate for Ken...'

That sums up the superficial tendencies many have in this age.

But at least some of us independently beg to differ!

Well done!

[Gee]

Just one of the many worries a parent endures as their child, especially daughter's, stumble through teenage years, blindfolded by how they are perceived and wish to be........if that makes sense.
Have now moved on to boyfriends, these toting far to many hormones in crutch bulging jeans, and learning to drive

[Emma]

Good luck to you and your daughter, but I think that the battle of appearances and perception of yourself is a struggle for all ages. Everyone is susceptible to the feelings of not being quite what they want to be, and this doesn't have to be appearances, it could be intelligence or income or being interesting, we get to so fixated on being one better than we are that we forget to congratulate ourselves on what we have achieved. Or maybe that's just me being cynical, and I know not everyone will have this, I hope the proportion that don't are higher than I suspect they are. Anyway thank-you for commenting.

[BlackPrince]

You are wise and right in this view.

[.]

I read this as both a warning and a critique of our society and its obsession with the perceived perfect body type.

I agree with you. We must always be content with the body we have and not be overly influenced by the ridiculous extremes that our society deems are the perfect, god/goddess form. And with each passing year it always seems that some new, outlandish acceptable norm comes into recognition. No doubt influenced by the selfie generation. The boundaries are always pushed to their limits as you have written. And these limits are becoming ever more dangerous.

I applaud your skill with the written word, Emma, and your positive attitude towards body image in our modern society. A fine write.

[Emma]

Thank you, I strive in my poems to have more of a warning then a condemnation, hoping that the shared admittance and blame will help people to see the issue, and acknowledge that even the subconscious or imposed second nature decisions are choices and under our own control. Thank-you so much for reviewing, I really appreciate any support.

[Suhd]

We should be happy with what we have while we have it, I totally agree with you. Your poem is so accurate!
I really adore this piece here!

[Alfred Kukitz]

encapsulating! the disease of beauty haunts even the most sensible fellow as women’s looks paint the landscape.

regards,
al

[Emma]

Yes! Thank you for sharing that.

[emipoemi]

The best poems derive from emotion, devotion, the most unlikely of subjects. Emma, this is your best work to date! I love the progression and repetitions; the imagery is powerful, and the musicality divine. The message is timeless, and is most powerful when applied to the now. Brava! I much enjoyed this! It left me in awe!

[Emma]

Thank you so much, I think it is allowing myself to write what I truly care about that has improved my poems.

[emipoemi]

You might also say that you gave yourself to Poetry as you wrote this...collaborated with her rather than take full control of it. A poem can be about anything, but if you control the process, then you won't achieve the best results. Again, brava on this poem! It's a job well done!

[Kay]

This hits a strong point. I was watching a documentary where a number of young girls in elementary school were asked what they would change about themselves if they could. They said either their faces or weight (to be skinnier). None of the girls answered with anything outside of appearance. As if they had no other value.

[Emma]

Thank you and that sounds awful. You can't deny that it is force fed ideals when they are children that young. You're not born thinking being skinny or super muscly equals acceptance or admiration. I think that appearance is a defence from revealing the real you and whatever judgement that might bring.

[Lorry]

Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, but it's a pity those eyes have been corrupted by what we are told is the ideal, by journalism, advertising and peer pressure.
The sooner we are free to be who we are, unplugged, the better. No interference, no judgements..... I'll not hold my breath, but we can hope.
really enjoyed the rhythm of the piece, layered and each meaning falling into the next. Nicely done.

[Emma]

Thank you so much. Freedom from our own expectations of ourselves does seem impossible, for any ambitions it is rare people are satisfied as they always think someone else has done it better. The concept of doing your best still seems too much like the 'you tried' sticker from primary school.

[Lorry]

Ha, good point. We can't all be the pinnacle of success. Perhaps if the noose of expectation can be lifted, then we could flourish at being ourselves, instead of some ideal, mythical expectation of others.
..Still not holding my breath though.