The Total Femme

Last night I was an audience member at a reading of pieces from Eileen Myles’s anthology Pathetic Literature, just out. There had been a nor’easter over the weekend and the Provincetown sunset that evening was unbearably beautiful. Inside, Womencrafts was cozy, and it felt good to be out with people. I’m still getting used to being out with people. Like in a room. Like all together. Like should I take off my mask? No, maybe I’ll leave it on for now…

Anyway, after a reading of a play by Valerie Solanas and a few other pieces from the book, Eileen asked for three volunteers to read three poems. My arm was up like a shot! I chose “the sexy, sassy one:” “TOTAL LOL” by Sophie Robinson.

I took off my mask. Took a breath. Eileen hovered a bit – they don’t know me, they wanted to make sure I had a handle on things. Sweet femme sisters, I tell you, I certainly did have a handle.

Maybe I’m all dinged up from everything that’s happened in the past few years, in my life, in the world. Maybe I’m older than I once was, maybe I’m not dressed up all super hip, not up on the latest pop culture, queer or otherwise. Maybe I’m not any kind of famous for any kind of anything. But I was wearing lipstick and I can sure as fuck read a sexy poem.

Apples of my eye, queer femme sisters of my heart, today revel in your hidden talents, your surprising skills, your astounding abilities that might not be readily apparent. Sneak up, jump up, change the energy in the room and then just smile, a twinkle in your eye, “Yeah, I got this.”

Your femme magic sustains you – oh, it feels good to let ‘er rip, doesn’t it? — and sustains us all.

Shine, shine, shine!

Every Monday, I offer a Meditation for Queer Femmes, in the spirit of my maternal grandmother, Mimi, who was fabulous, and from whom I inherited her Meditations for Women. Would you like to offer up a Meditation of your own? I would love that! Send it along to me at thetotatalfemme@gmail.com.

Since 2016, I here at The Total Femme have done my best to post thrice a week: Meditations for Queer Femmes on Monday, Pingy Dingy on Wednesday, and Femme Friday on you know when. I’m pulling back the reins now, darlings, and going down to once a week, this Meditation. This doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you. Send me your poetry, your musings, your art, your wonderful you, and I will love you and hold you and feature you right here. So let me hear from you! thetotalfemme@gmail.com. And stop by on Mondays for a bit of sacred femme space.