*****

Recorded Reading (3:45): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3aa8p2yzgk2jw0bt0q2st/Why-do-You-Dress-That-Way.mp3?rlkey=cq1337reftxzd0gxj21ujrmn4&dl=0

*****

“Why Do You Dress That Way?”

I’m not sure I understand the question.

Why shouldn’t I dress this way?

Is it immoral?
Illegal?
Unattractive?…

But if you must know
It’s because this is the warmest
Most comfortable
And most practical way
For me to live.

Now…

Let’s consider this question
From another viewpoint

Shall we?

Why are you dressed
That way?

Because everyone else is?
Because you’re a coward
Who doesn’t dare to wear what
Truly pleases you?

And — after a whole lifetime of
Doing just that —
Do you even know
What pleases you
Any more?

Because, sister
I’m sorry
But it can’t be
What I’m looking at

As you are over the age of twenty five
Those blue jeans
Are not doing you any favors
From the observer’s perspective

Just trust me

The inventor of the “T-shirt”
Had in mind the flattery of
Only two physical types:
Jimmy Dean
And Marilyn Monroe

You are clearly not
Jimmy Dean
And, in that ultra mundane getup
Just as very, very obviously
Not Marilyn either

How far can you walk
In those
Overpriced shoes?
A whole block?
Let’s take the car.

The jacket
Carefully chosen
For plainness
Dust it down a little
Seen the same on the backs
Of countless bums

And that haircut!
Well, let’s just say…
A scarf would be great, okay?

Your bag is especially representative
Of the mindset from which you feel free
To be staring at me unapprovingly,
Not-too-successfully smothering
Your derisive mocking little smile:

Hundreds of dollars
For something gridded
With the unattractive initials
Of the designer for whom you are
A complascently unpaid
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Naturally there’s something
Of physical unattractiveness
Written across the t-shirt as well

Wouldn’t want,
No no no,
Not to
“Belong”

*****

Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.