Mar 17 2014

Poet Republik-Denise Duhamel

How would you describe a beautiful woman? The American media-complex puts forth its definition of female beauty, and shocker-alert, it is equated with money: Botox injections 600.00, boob jobs, 5-10,000.00, hair styling, well, I once watched a “behind the stars” type of show that said Victoria Beckham spent 50,000 on her hair per year. Sheesh. In the amount of characters it takes you to tweet (140), give us your definition of female beauty. Here Denise Duhamel explores this notion, taking scissors to prescriptions of beauty:

Fat Fashionista

O Gucci, Diesel, Calvin Klein, and your teeny garb.  Even you, frolicking Betsey Johnson. I saved two years to buy one of your dresses only to find that none of them fit. O Victoria Secret with your tiny panties that only stretch so far. O skinny jeans, halters, and bikinis. O Anne Klein, Versace, Guess, Ralph Lauren! I can only window shop unless I diet—and what would be the pleasure in that? O Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, Stella McCartney, let me tell you—there was a time when I had my own private designer, my grandmother Bertha Bourgeois and her aqua Singer.  Even when she worked from a Butterick pattern, she pinned the crepe paper to me first and made any adjustments. All my clothes were custom—I could be an apple, a pear, a turtle, any shape I wanted.  My designer didn’t care. I strutted the vinyl carpet runner that lead from her hallway to the living room wearing her latest creation.  Every season I picked my fabric and consulted with BB who took to it with chalk, her pinking sheers cutting along the bias.

Denise Duhamel is the author of numerous collections of poetry, including: Blowout (University of Pittsburgh, 2013), Ka-Ching! (University of Pittsburgh, 2009), Two and Two (2005), and Mille et un sentiments (Firewheel Editions, 2005). Four of her poems were included in the 2013 edition of Ping-Pong. She is a poet whose voice invites others to enter into the conversation. She rocks.
Photo Credit: Stewart Ferebee

Comments

18 Responses to Poet Republik-Denise Duhamel
  1. K M edgington says:

    I think that for a woman to be beautiful, she has to be happy. Women who are happy excrete a sense of joy that is noticeable to everyone around. Likewise, an unhappy woman oozes with dissatisfaction, making the people around her notice how displeased she is with her life and herself. Happy women are a joy to be around, to talk to, to laugh with and to love. They are beautiful both inside and out. They are content, healthy, positive and proud of it! A happy woman is a beautiful woman.

  2. B.Beas says:

    A beautiful woman is confident and is happy with herself . She doesn’t compare herself to other women. Her personality makes her beautiful

  3. K.Green says:

    She teaches 8 hours a day then drives home quickly to beat the school bus. She helps with homework, cleans the house and makes dinner. She takes care of us all of but never complains.

  4. H. Harmon says:

    A ravishing soul that bleeds love and compassion from within her bosom. A thickened armor conceals her worry molding it into self sacrifice.

  5. M. Martinez says:

    Beauty has no definition. Beauty is within details, flaws, and having unique traits. Every woman is the essence of her own beauty.

  6. T. Wilkes says:

    You can see a women’s beauty in her eyes and her smile, hear it in her laugh, and feel it in her touch.

  7. M Maitoza says:

    A beautiful woman can light up a room with her presence alone. Her happiness is infectious and her confidence is humbling. She loves life.

  8. C.Schaarschmidt says:

    A pretty woman is giving, self-less,humble,sees the good, emulates love, brushes her hair and see’s pretty, points out the pretty in everything

  9. A.Valles says:

    Female beauty is like deliscious cake: different hues, different flavors, different molds. Mix/match to your own special taste buds- ENJOY!

  10. S. Mendoza says:

    A mind as mysterious as the depths of the ocean, a heart as large as the Sun. A woman who speaks from her head & her heart; united as one.

  11. a.b says:

    To me a beautiful woman is defined by her personality/character

  12. k padilla says:

    Beauty is nebulous, ever changing, possessed by all, and defined by those that draw us in for reasons we cannot explain.

  13. Danielle Garcia says:

    Female beauty: the soft sternness that embodies the gentle touch and firm grasp of love and affection that drips of perfume and powder dust

  14. Horacio Guzman says:

    Beauty is possessing confidence, a unique personality, humbleness, and a smile thats contagious. Most important, free of social conformity.

  15. E. Maravilla says:

    Her glowing smile shines from within, sheer love like silk flowing in her heart and passion in all she holds deer.

  16. V. Amezquita says:

    A beautiful woman is designed by her humble thoughts and sencere soul. She exudes love and expects nothing in return.

  17. A. Guerrero says:

    A beautiful woman is described by her personality, love and actions not by her looks. She gives love and doesn’t expect anything in return.

  18. Michael Odom says:

    If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know she was beautiful. (apologies to E. Dick&son)

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