Out of Style

Much 

has been

written

of two

famous

women,

each

style

unique,

who chose

to speak

through

their

clothes

and hair.

Accessorized,

so stylized,

many fantasized,

but their

looks

were beside

their gifts.

Out of style,

we fashion

sartorial

expression

to complement

that which

makes us

brilliant.

The way

in which

we choose

to stitch

together

our own

self portrait

so that

another

may interpret

is always

deliberate,

even when 

dressing 

down.

Iconic style

lasts a long 

while,

and suggests

more than

just dressing.

How and what

we choose

to use

to present

to the world

will herald

volumes.

Dolly and Gloria

in their own

ways,

were both 

celebrities

since the 70s;

super stars

of their 

respective 

domains,

whose names

conjure images

first.

The hair

and clothes,

along with 

Jackie O’s,

and

Marilyn’s

and Audrey’s

as well as

Elvis’s,

and more….

The drag queen’s

closet

may be a

composite

of celebrity

royalty,

but with

Dolly 

and 

Gloria

they were

known to be

much more 

than their

styles.

To suggest

their beauty

before 

their intellects

reflects

the culture

still.

Beauty

is not

a talent

or an 

achievement,

but they knew

it couldn’t

hurt.

To assert

themselves

in a world

not yet

theirs,

they knew

how to

maximize

and feminize

(even fetishize),

as they

strategized,

galvanized,

and ultimately 

epitomized

their worlds.

Maybe they 

did 

choose 

their looks

to be hooks

to their

greater

work.

It worked!

Not just 

for their

immense

successes

but for successive

generations

and iterations

of their

brilliance.

THE Influencer

She

was hers;

never his,

Ms.

Steinem.

Eloquent,

elegant,

fiercely

intelligent,

courageous,

bodacious,

ever current.

If Betty

was the mother,

then Gloria

was the cool

Aunt

of The Movement,

whose improvement

she embraced.

She

called out

bad behavior

as unacceptable

even though

it was considered

normal.

Sexual harassment,

with blame 

and shame

finally got

a name

that changed

the game.

I so admired

her ability

to speak

and write

with such

clarity

about true

equality

not based

on biology,

and the lack

of dignity

endured

by females.

Her bunny

tail tales

are infamous,

as she 

exposed

what was

supposed

to be

a fantasy,

that

as usual,

demeaned

women.

Ms. Steinem

was

THE Influencer

not just

for a single

gender.

I hope

we will

do more

than remember,

but achieve

what she

perceived

for all .

June 2022

A miscarriage

Has occurred.

Actually, an

Abortion.

Fifty years in the making

Seeking to criminalize

Those most

Desperate.

Overturned

But not over,

The tide will turn

Toward Justices

Corrupt

From Dark Money

And desperate for

Supremacy.

Rights for

Individuals

Who can’t get

Pregnant.

Now

The law sanctions

Open Carry

To full term.

I’m expecting

Violence

In response to

“Pro Lifers”

Who care

Nothing

For those already

Born.

Except

For the right

To bear arms

Anywhere.

I hemorrhaged

Tears

And could barely

Breathe.

This is an

Assault

On women and girls’

Rights.

I will not dwell

In the cruelty

Pain

And contractions.

We will

Heal

And create

Anew.