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Feminine Advice

(after 'Seventeen Warnings in Search of a Feminist Poem')

"Beware of the man who . . ." - Erica Jong, 'Seventeen Warnings in Search of a Feminist Poem'

Beware of the man on the way down
who knows he is on the way down;

when his quiet desperation
grows in volume till it fills his ears
he will grope for your love
like an addict in the dark
gropes through a medicine cabinet,
finding nothing to stop the tremors,
but smashing all he comes across.

You will have to clean the mess.

Beware of the man who is damaged;
he will want to break you down for parts
to mend himself with.

Beware of the man who warns you about himself;
he is only being honest.

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Comments on Feminine Advice

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On Thursday February 14th, 2008, freudian-slip (397) writes:

and beware most of all of the man who asks your hand in marriage, within a few months. Unless you're on E Harmony:) Loved the second to last btw. excellent write.

On Thursday February 14th, 2008, Chimauron (119) writes:

Just read this again, and my original assesment stands. This is a really powerful and concise message.

On Monday March 26th, 2007, Stranger (298) writes:

Although “Seventeen Warnings in Search of a Feminist Poem” is one of my favorite Erica Jong poems. I can honestly say I like yours better. Do I need say more…?

On Saturday June 4th, 2005, Naked_Faerie (170) writes:

Thank you...thank you, not only for the advice but for the beautiful poem. It's rare that I find prose enjoyable but you are a diamond in the rough. ~Faerie~

On Friday March 18th, 2005, steuss (141) writes:

I think this was incredibly powerful, truthful and sincere. I think it is also possible to change Man to Woman and have the same effects... (not that i'd want to) This is simply... Fantastic.

On Friday March 18th, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

Considering that part of the intended effect was to recall Jong's poem, no, it would not be the same ;) But thanks a lot, and I do know what you meant :)

On Monday February 28th, 2005, Jay Jii (332) writes:

The war of the sexes is over. Women won by a landslide. I don't think the male gender really needs to be pidgeon-holed anymore than it already has been. All men are not wicked.

On Monday February 28th, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

Incidentally, until the phrase "war of the sexes" is erased from history it will never be over, and it is a war in which there can be no victor.

On Monday February 28th, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

Of course not, and a man can certainly write a similar poem about women . . . but I still stand behind my statements here.

On Monday February 28th, 2005, Jay Jii (332) writes:

I'd like to believe that your poem is telling people to beware of immaturity, rather than to beware of men.

On Monday February 28th, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

It's telling people to beware exactly what I've listed, and to be honest, immaturity wasn't what I was thinking of. Nor does my poem tell people to beware of men. However, the list is not all-inclusive ;)

On Saturday February 26th, 2005, sIo (872) writes:

this rocked.

On Thursday February 24th, 2005, ElegantKiss (399) writes:

Haha, I love it. Great work.

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, blue (1757) writes:

I can neither confirm nor deny the truths stated here...oh, shit, guess I just did. er well, you are correct, indeed, you are correct. And sadly, most men will never understand. boo! ~b

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, Chimauron (119) writes:

It doesn't have more comments because it is frightening in its insight and so very true that no one knows what to say... like me. You are a genius with words, Carmina.

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

That was, like, the best comment EVER :) Thank you :)

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, Chimauron (119) writes:

and you have given me an outside perspective on what could be fucking up every one of my relationships to date, heh! Thank you ;)

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, Sin (1623) writes:

holy shit...this is amazing...i cant believe it doesnt have more comments. nicely done ~kristy

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, Carmina Gitana (118) writes:

Thank you. I was really curious what the female contingent would think of this :)

On Thursday February 24th, 2005, purr_verse (1427) writes:

There is a great deal of honest clarity in this piece, so very well expressed... I think it works equally well for both sexes, though; I've certainly known women who fit this write perfectly. Excellently done.

On Tuesday February 22nd, 2005, BleedSilver (373) writes:

Beware if the man who smells like me, for he probably doesn't shower. :P

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