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Living,
breathing art form, I am
a sculpture of divine light,
flattering shadows and
constantly updated ambitions
silhouetted against
not-so-common sense
nine to five
the daily grind
a carbon copy in the ant heap
falling in line wherever
order is applicable
body of a woman
in subdued hues
of corporate costume
starched and tailored rags
befitting the common slave
of a capitalist mindset
face of conformity
but do not judge me
by the cover
I’m a stilettoed socialist
strutting her talent
amid these temples erected
to worship money
if you know enough
of the world
you can crack
the cipher
of my swagger
I have my own agenda
I’m not lost
I’m a fashionable vermin
who knows her way around
these tow-away zones
one-way streets and
orthopedic bus stops
I’m a gambling addict
wherever the stakes matter
and have cast my lot
on a future
that outshines
these bright lights
and a soul
of enough magnitude
to not let this big city
define me
and you can’t give me enough
elevator rides
as to convince me that
people are meant to
be boxed and move
in one direction alone
and you can’t make me
cross streets through
underground tunnels too often
as to make me stop
juxtaposing myself
and the other pedestrians
with the archetype of
warriors of a Resistance
emerging into the sun
and no matter how many
metal detectors you
very politely force me
to walk through
I’ll never forget that
I’m concealing a weapon
that you can’t see
unless you truly,
deeply know me.
.
Lissette said:
Oh Iris! I feel every word alongside you!! Corporate chick sucks for me most days and my only escape is in my day dream world that changes every situation into an elaborate world changing matter. I believe you understand……Thanks for writing!
John S. Modica said:
Yeah, this is the Iris I am enthralled with, spoken with the heart and soul of a she-lion. You are no fashionable vermin, my dear, you are high art, a creature of myriad facets. There are people we must present to the world at times and this is not ourselves. Isn’t it wonderful when we can present ourselves to others like us. That is why I love poets and artists. Fablulous poem, love it, reminds me of the first poem I read of yours on Mad Swirl. Go to my fb page, there should be a tag by Larry Goodell, “A Star’s Star”. Check it out, I think you will be glad you did.
Jenn said:
Can we recite this on a catwalk? I esp loved the “enough to not let this big city define me”
Ann Jacobs said:
Love it Iris. Every so often, we need to break from the “mold” and release ourselves.
Linda said:
Bolster youself, Babygirl! I know, and hundreds of others do too, beyond a shadow of any doubt that your work is incredible! I love this piece…well, I love all of your work so I guess I don’t really count… 🙂
John Engbeck said:
Gotta have her at The Event!
Tracy said:
Iris my dear, you are sublime !!!!!!!!!!
Sheila said:
Wow I love this, Iris. You are an amazing writer, poet.
Tom Baker said:
This is great – all of it but I like the last few lines the best. Another magnificent piece.
I hope you are doing well! I just sent you an email Iris. Take care.
Ralph said:
Dang, girl, BOOM! Powerful words and imagery, but we both know you are no amateur….
starched and tailored rags
befitting the common slave
of a capitalist mindset
face of conformity
Good stuff!
joseph said:
i like it