Rebirth
Learn the way with amputations and
a body recently reformed,
pillowed breasts are unappreciated,
roundness is deformed
Build yourself a body
artificial, nicely physical
beyond the glass, the bathroom sink,
empty yourself, it’s only logical
Filled with garbage and stones
you’re many sizes too big
for those delicate little glass slippers,
can’t pull them off if you’re a pig
Smile at yourself down from heaven,
your body finally reformed
but remember to hide your scar-ridged back
Congrats, you’ve been reborn.
Adapted from:
Agha Shahid Ali. “The Wolf's Postscript to ‘Little Red Riding Hood’.” A Walk Through the Yellow Pages. SUN-Gemini Press, 1987.
Denise, Anna. “How to Change a Frog into a Prince.” Library of Congress, Poetry 180, 2003. https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-176/how-to-change-a-frog-into-a-prince/.
Fanthorpe, U.A. “Not my Best Side.” Selected Poems. Enitharmon Press, 2014.
Howe, Sarah. “Tame.” Loop of Jade. Chatto & Windus, 2015.
Ng Yi-Sheng. “Ne Zha.” Last Boy. Firstfruits Publications, 2006.
Sexton, Anne. “Cinderella.” Transformations. Mariner Books, 1971.
Yolen, Jane. “Fat is not a Fairytale.” Such a Pretty Face: Tales of Power and Abundance, edited by Lee Martindale, Meisha Merlin Publishing, 2000.