a poem by Sipora West

This poem was written to compliment my zine, other people’s clothes. other people’s clothes explores self-image, comfort, alienation, and comparison through the lens of clothing. You can read the full zine on my website, siporawest.com.

I am an amalgamation of girls I have fallen in love with

Girls with silk nightgowns and dainty hair ribbons

Girls with wool vests and pleated skirts

Girls with pink cheeks and white go-gos

I want to be desired so I parade in other people’s clothes

Forget the personality that I tried on yesterday

Allow me to hide swans in the pockets of my jeans 

The discomfort I feel around strangers is 

Nothing compared to the distress of recognition 

You knew me in tulle, you can’t know me in chiffon

I steal lingerie but never wear it

Gazes burn welds into my flesh and

nothing fits, nothing fits anymore

I want to be the object of someone’s jealousy

I still own every fabric I’ve ever sewn

Someone take from me as I take from others!

Does anyone want to wear my clothes! 

I am well versed in desire

I am well acquainted with disappointment 

Have you ever seen a store sell simplicity?

I am only at peace when I am left untouched

My nerves must be obscured by

ballet flats 

          and emerald jewels 

                 and princess cut ball gowns 

                        and nylon stockings

                               and sculpted lace corsets

Otherwise the killer would have found me by now

And we would have embraced, a veil of textiles clouding my vanish

If womanhood is enchanting then I have been cursed beyond witchery

Go, go, scrub your hands of my infection

I imagine I’ll die while changing my clothes

Unmask me and find that I haven’t aged at all

Lay me to rest in someone else’s clothes