quotes Elisquared likes


"Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying, 'Hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan. Why is that?' In fact, it seems to me that most contemporary insults are pretty lame. Even 'lame' is kind of lame. Saying 'You're lame' is like saying 'You walk with a limp.' Yeah, whatever, so does 50 Cent, and he's done all right for himself."— John Green

2.06.2011

Poetry Sunday (02)


This is a fabulous new blog feature here at Eli to the nth!  Thanks to Genna from Reading, Writing, and the World of Words, who created this awesome feature and gave me the permission to host it here, as well as, use her cute graphic!  Poetry is one of my passions, but I have yet to share it here.  So this feature gives me the perfect opportunity to do so!

The poem this week is a really great feminist manifesto calling to young women to really reflect on their self-worth, their consumerism, and their artificial lives.

DEAR DEMOGRAPHIC by Amber Tamblyn (yes the actress)

I’d like to say:
As a former member of your clique
(and a current member of your representation)
I know it’s hard to be a young woman ages 18-to 24-years-old.

They put you in a time slot
that doesn’t reflect your views
with a ratings system
that doesn’t respect your truths.

Listen:
From one cynical self-hater-by-default to another,
please put down the magazine article that has bored you
into hair extensions and reality television.
Stop with the 20th century redux:

Make your own era. You are not out of your own league.
Fake eyelashes will not get you Ryan Gosling.
Nor will sporting a Barack Obama keychain.

No need to break all the rules:
Just bend them into balloon animals,
give them to your little brothers and sisters.
Show them how silly and cute American culture is.
Time will naturally deflate all of it.

Start mosh-pits in the crowded thoughts of tycoons:
Stir something up with your tongue.
Sip someone else’s logic then spit it out
(preferably when they’re looking).
Taste test your own style. 
Get your mind into the gutter of others:
Search for the things they let go down the drain or threw away.
Everyone’s scared to tell you how they really feel.
Including Oprah.
Stop getting wasted and throwing up
your individuality outside of clubs.
There is no fast food to help you cope with that.

Leave your mark on the world
with something that can’t be chosen from
a tattoo book of Chinese symbols
for the lower back.

Pierce something other than your skin:
When I tell you to think for yourself,
don’t give a shit what I say.

(© 2010 Amber Tamblyn)

If you liked this poem, you can check out more of Amber's work on her website or by buying one of her books: Bang Ditto (the poem is from this volume) and Free Stallion.  (I'm in NO way getting paid by Amber Tamblyn or anyone associated with her! I just think she is an awesome poet.)

4 comments:

  1. I am a big fan of poetry so I was really excited to see this. I will be checking back each week to see what you feature. Nice selection this time!

    Andrea @ Reading Lark

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a great poem! Thank you so much for sharing :D

    And by the way, I gave you the Memetastic Award on my blog. I hope you like it :d

    Brush Up On Your Reading

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not familiar with Amber Tamblyn but that's nothing new for me. I like the message of her poem though.
    If I ever write a book of poetry I hope you like it so you'll help promote it.
    There's an interesting challenge coming up. Click on the link below for details.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was also not familiar with Amber, but I'm so glad you shared her with us! Great poet and I'm loving to see the poems and poets you feature each week! See you again on Sunday! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by; I love to hear from you!

Happy reading!!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...