Isn’t it enough I’ve fought against
it, ballet classes every day,
often more than one. Do I have
to tell you I was stunned by the
letter from a woman who says “now
in the gym the men stop looking.” 
Do I have to joke “pull the plug if
I can’t do ballet,” laugh when a
friend says “ I didn’t sleep with him
because I’d have to get undressed.”
Do I have to remember my mother
saying she’d rather be dead than
lose her teeth? Have to know if I
stay slim, size zero in ultra sexy
Victoria’s Secret jeans without
more fat my face will look less
lovely. I think of that friend who
says she doesn’t worry about what
poem she’ll read but what she
will wear. Another says she wants
plastic surgery but doesn’t think
it’s right for someone in the arts,
shouldn’t she care about loftier things?
I think of another woman who will
only be photographed in certain
positions. Do I have to tell you what
I’m thinking about isn’t death?

Have to know if I
stay slim, size zero in ultra sexy
Victoria’s Secret jeans without
more fat my face will look less
lovely.

For me, this line struggles a bit, other than that, the poem has strength and addresses an issue as old as the mirror itself. Conforming to an era's perception of beauty has always been difficult. I suppose it is a topic that will garnish you both sympathy and envy from half of the population.

I am also a little curious about the intent of the last line. Anytime a writer says "Do I have to tell you....." I think the comment should be obvious, I'm afraid it isn't obvious for me.

Thank you for sharing your work with us.

It's a shame that Lyn, with all her experience, only seemed to use the site to promote her work, as she seemingly never made any attempt to enter any comment or discussion of others' work. That, of course, has nothing to do with the quality of her poems. But this is a forum, not a magazine.

milner

Milner, I was torn about putting this poem up, but went ahead for 3 reasons:  1) it's pretty good; 2) people surfing on Lynn's name might be drawn to us -- folks who might not otherwise have found us (if she's going to use us, why not a little turnabout?); 3) maybe she herself will see the poem (don't we all do vanity searches?), notice we're still here, and come join the community "for reals" this time, as the local kids say.

Rick

love it
and love the last line.

3 good reasons. Rick.

.

congrats, Lyn! Tom

Rick,  i'm glad to see this here - good pick.

If you're reading, ugly beautiful poem Lyn.  Thanks.

k

i agree with desiree's comments about the jeans-face line being less clear than the rest which carries well along a strong voice
except i assumed the last line concluded 'i'm talking about life', which underlines the ridiculous nature of a much exhausted point, so is a nice ending.

about the regret expressed that lyn hasn't engaged much with discussions - i find it is nerve wracking to give replies to other poets as a poet, knowing how rarely you get opportunities for feedback, and so how much weight your words may carry to others - you may feel qualified to post poems but much less qualified to post a critique, especially if you have not had time or headspace to enter another's poem truly, your discussion about it would do the poet an injustice.   
also the public nature of this forum is massive, and if your highest hope and aspiration in life is to put your words into the public domain, you may well be shy of posting them too frequently on a forum.

considering it, i think this site is remarkable and seems to maintain a respectful balance and understanding of what it requires/ demands and is flexible to a diverse group of users.. i hope the site continues to have a place for me even if i am a sporadic user!