Editor’s Note:
Adolescence, that time of life when what is desired, what is possible, and often what is acceptable are far apart – each from the other. In Summer Movie, the poet is an adult reflecting back to a time in her life when what her mother expected from her and for her finds what is desired unimaginable. 
Cathy’s poem is both humorous and poignant at the same time. Didn’t we all, girl or boy, at some time in teenage years want the impossible?
Tim
SUMMER MOVIE
CATHY ROSS
I went to see
the Barbie movie
this summer.
I wore a pink T shirt,
the color
of my pomade lipstick
in junior high,
the color
of the sandals
I begged for then,
but my mother
said no,
they won’t go
with anything,
which was true,
as my pleated skirts
were navy blue,
my blouses white,
my sweaters beige
nothing like
the clothes
in Barbie’s wardrobe:
hot pink capris
with laces up the side,
purple suede coats
with white fur trim,
lime green leather
mini skirts
that barely grazed
her thighs,
polka dot bikinis
with straps
that could easily
be untied,
and always
always
the highest heels
I’d ever seen.
When I pleaded
for a Barbie doll
my feminist mother
said no,
that’s silly,
no woman
ever looked like that.
But I wanted to.
To view Cathy’s previous poem, “EQUILIBRIUM” – click here
