It's all drag anyway
"Either be yourself by convincing them
you're playing a character,
Or play a character convincing them
you're just being yourself."
Posted May 22, 2021, 10:19 PM UTC · edited
79
I feel like "it's all drag anyway" is a better way of illustrating a secret side of someone than the metaphor of a mask. The poem itself makes you think about all the people you met and wonder how many people are actually themselves but can so easily convince you they're fake. Thank you for sharing and I loved reading!
3
The original meaning was basically about drag queens and trans people. Drag queen feel like they can express themselves through a character.
Trans people though must play a character to convince people that's who they really are (and hiding their identity)
1
X that just
the face is that which face is...
PC Music explores this I.e. SOPHIE’S FACESHOPPING
3
I agree with what you said about wanting to get rid of the first two lines and have it read more like a proverb. The title pulled me in from the start, and I think just having those four lines would really tie the poem together. Short and succinct, I liked it!
As a closeted trans person, the reality of feeling like you are playing a character or persona feels very personal and all too real to me. For me, your poem shines a light on a feeling I experience often. A feeling like you are constantly walking on a tight rope between a desire to express yourself authentically on one end and the fear of how said expression, and ultimately you, will be perceived by society, on the other end. I feel like your poem encapsulates the magic of finding identity in dressing in a performative manner.
2
The original meaning was basically about drag queens and trans people. Drag queen feel like they can express themselves through a character.
Trans people though must play a character to convince people that's who they really are (and hiding their identity)
I'm not a trans person but I just felt this need to make a metaphor about roles, masks and identity in our society.
1
I thought it turned out pretty well! I could see myself writing something similar, haha.
1
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1
i love the title: it really stopped me in my tracks and gave me a new way of seeing and feeling the topic. the poem's thesis is poignant and relevant and one i care about. the execution's too on the nose for me, too literal: i would love to see the ideas shown to me (in the same way that the title really gave me something) as opposed to told so directly.
I was thinking something along the lines. I pretty much want to get rid of the first 2 lines and have the poem stand on its own, like some sort of proverb rather than a haute couture piece of literature.