Love Handles

When was the last time you saw a model

Strip her modest silk robe and strut

Proudly down the catwalk,

Hips swinging, legs jiggling,

Her round body filling out

The garments she's showing off?

 

I like to think that's me

Up there in the spotlight, unafraid.

I often wish I could just rip off

My ill-fitting clothes

And dance down the halls of my school

In purple panties, without any shame

Of my tubby tummy and thick thighs.

 

But that will never happen.

Women are supposed to be skinny,

Like a thin, elegant elf,

Pale, fragile, unhealthy.

 

Well maybe I'm just making a fashion statement-

"I love my love handles!"

And that's all that really matters.

 

Author's Note

I'd like critiques/help on the ending. It's the only part I can't fix to where I like it. Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewing, you're all so kind! I really appreciate it.
(6/14/08) I kind of edited it. A little.

Reviews

[Sapphire Balasquez]

i do like the ending, kinda like: screw it all! i like myself the way i am! and i love that idea, maybe you could do it in more words? i don't know how you could do that, sorry. T__T maybe... maybe... >> take an idea from one of the other stanzas and bring it back to tie the poem off? i do love this though, it so strongly brings your thoughts about and does it clearly but with metaphors and such all the same, it was good and makes me happy! ^^ i so agree with all of it!

[Kaye]

=O Woooooooow!!! That was so brilliantly protesty and I agree with it completely. All over the place you see these incredibly gorgeous women who just have a little weight around the middle and they can't model because of it and they can't be popular actresses because America's afraid of a little pudge. SCREW SKINNY!
Although, myself, I think fit and toned is the hottest look on any body, fat sure does beat a skeleton anyday.

Okay! About the poem! My favorite was the second stanza. I could see that SO perfectly and it was beautiful. Purple panties made me giggle. The single line that bothered me was "She's showing off" it makes sense in context of the stanza and in the sentence, but being on it's own line in my mind made it sound like it was chopped short. It could just be the alliteration, but if you changed that line or just cut it up differently I think it would help the first stanza transition to the second better.

Beautiful! You should post more of your poetry here!

[Iretex2012]

nice write

[ShanZ-Turn]

I love the subject you are addressing Kudos... I also like the piece quite a bit. I have some of my notes below, please take them for what they are worth, lol, I am no expert.....

I like to think that's me
Up there in the spotlight, unafraid.
I often wish I could just rip off
My ill-fitting clothes
And dance down the halls of my school.......As if on parade
In purple panties, without any shame
Of my tubby tummy and thick thighs........move to after L8

But that will never happen.
Women are supposed to be skinny,(waif's instead of skinny?)
Like a thin, elegant elf,
Pale, fragile, unhealthy.(Pale, fragile, no picture of health)

Well maybe I'm just making a fashion statement-(maybe I'm just making a Statement)
"I love my love handles!"
So what're you gonna do about it,
America?(I want you to let me take my place.?)

[Hviske]

I LOVE THIS YOU HAVE NO IDEA . THATS ME RIGHT THERE IN THE POEM ... LOL HONESTLY WHATS WRONG WITH BEING DIFFRENT AND WHY ARE PEOPLE WHO ARENT SKINNY PICKED ON AND CRITICIZED ITS SO STUPID .. YOU MADE A GOOD POINT AND WE SHOULD ALL LEARN TO LOVE OUR BODYS JUST THEY WAY THEY ARE WHETHER FAT SKINNY CHUBBY OR WHATEVER WHAT COUNTS IS WHATS ON THE INSIDE

[Amy Beth Storey]

i think this is a very strong subject that America needs to address ASAP. having seen people struggle with eating disorders (and having been in one myself) i know how hard this is. the important thing is that you are confident with who you are; no matter what the media tells you.

cudos for writing on this subject; and for the great peice. i think it is well done.

[The Autumn Faerie]

I think the only thing I would do is to move America up a line.
But that's just me.

Aside from that, I think it's perfect. Liberating!
We girls should not be ashamed of our bodies.
I've always struggled with my weight, myself, and I'm sick of feeling inadequate. =(

Keep writing!