9/17/07

Notes on the Filipina Feminine for Poets

This is part of a whole bunch of poems I am writing in the voice of a poetic "we."

We, Spoken Here

Dearest Poetess, Kindly stop cursing, for it is vulgar and unladylike.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly lower your voice, for it is vulgar and unladylike.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly stop speaking for us, for it is not your place to tell us who we are.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly stop asking questions, for it is not your place to ask us for anything.

Dearest Poetess, Please remember to maintain a light tone of voice.

Dearest Poetess, Please remember to maintain a light tone of skin.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly maintain your figure, for you must always be pretty for us.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly maintain your figure, for no man will marry you otherwise.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly mind your ego, for our collective needs precede your own.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly mind your ego, for your husband's needs precede your own.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly tell us when you will be having babies, for it is our business to know this.

Dearest Poetess, Kindly start having babies, for you must do so before you are too old.

Dearest Poetess, Do understand that we are only looking out for our best interests.

Yours Very Truly, We

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