I'm an intersectional feminist, I'm happy to discuss this with you further.

With your three mode mode listed above, I'd say mine fits into the second one - the ways things SHOULDN'T be.

Women are absolutely are subject to maddona/whore complexes - even by their own sons. This is simply a glimpse into that complex through the son's eyes. I'm not making a value judgement on its accuracy, rather, displaying it (on a personal note, as stated, I agree with what you're saying -- women are forced into this dichotomy).

I apologise if I'd made myself sound like a raging misogynist, but I want my intent clear. 

Again, I implore you, how can I do that? Thanks for the thorough response 


>edit: do not sympathise. just observe   

Okay, a few basic fundamentals to get out of the way before we can discuss this... There are three basic "registers" that each poem will always tend to fall under. Either, the reader will be expected to: 

- read the poem as an idealized depiction of the way things *should be* – implying that we should try to make the world be that way,    
- read the poem as a dystopian depiction of the way things *shouldn't be* – implying that we should try to avoid the world becoming that way,   
- read the poem as a realized depiction of the way things *are* – implying that we should just accept that this is just the way the world works.    

Your statement above seems to suggest that you are writing this in the third category of poem. And I have to say, if that's the case, you'll likely get some pushback from female readers (not so much from male readers, because this trope is a very comforting one to most men). This trope, which suggests that women are 

Hey Lana, i always appreciate your feedback - this is my attempt at writing something that isn't autobiographical. I was going for something more oedipal here, but I was thinking more about the way that children of sexualised beings (celebrities, sex workers, or otherwise) reconcile that contextualisation with maternity. Is there a way I can make this less confusing without comprising the voice? 


edit: do not sympathise. just observe 

?? I'm so confused. Your character seems to be caught amidst an Oedipal complex of his own making. Are we to sympathize?? 

This was darkly kind of funny but not so much funny as unstable however, still oddly funny, just less so than it is dark and unstable. I dig this 

This has its own unique sense of style, and a tone I've never read before.  It's creative and unique, and also has a message.  I love it :D

Very unique poem. I think the raw and straight forward approach works in this poem. The poem does come across a little unsettling and haunting. Overall, I think it was good. It is a little confusing because the character is a little misunderstood. 

   playboy model

   70's fuck toy

   tuck me into bed

   rub my tummy when

   cheese pizza betrays me

"&amp;nbsp;" 

   will you still be beautiful 

   or just something

   that used provide 

   maternal utility? 

"&amp;nbsp;" 

   i wonder about you

   when i see kids

   with that look in their eyes

   that implies

   they are mere vessels  

   of motherhood; ripe

   suckers. marks

"&amp;nbsp;" 

   i see magazine covers

   and i know you used to

   say the studio was too cold

   and made your nipples

   too prominent 


[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/69pdzc/what_is_this/dh8vmht/) [2](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/69rf7m/head_of_a_woman/dh8vikr/)

a visit to mother