Sunday, October 9, 2011

I don't mean that in a good way

***


“You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing.”

put down

to a four-legged
beast in heat

obscene, dirty
mud caked paws

panting after
alpha dogs

defiance turns
insult to compliment

back off backing
off bumper sticker

wood chips dust
your shoulder


***

I think calling a woman a bitch for whatever reason is an insult. It's a rude term plain and simple. And I'm always amazed and shocked that women would refer to themselves as bitches like it's a good thing.


Posted for dVerse Poetics - Bumper to Bumper. I don't normally do prompts but this seemed like a fun one and I just happened to have one in mind. Visit dVerse for more excellent poems to discover and enjoy.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

i always had male dogs. then one time, my ex and I were going to pick up dawn, a female samoyed. the owner's husband asked if i ever had a bitch. i told him now. he said i was in for some learning.

well, what i did learn, was why the tern is applied to human females. you gotta have a bitch in your household, to realeeeee understand.

Ravenblack said...

That might be something I would have to learn too to understand why it was used in the first place. I don't think the people around me who throw that word around know of its origins either though. Thanks for your comment and share, Zongrik. Much appreciated.

Claudia said...

yes - it is an insult and if someone does they always put down themselves as well with it

Ravenblack said...

But some do speak of it like it's some kind of badge of toughness. I will never like using that term. Thanks for the visit and comment, Claudia. :)

Brian Miller said...

yep, i hear you on this...if that is a bumper sticker i wonder if they always talk like that...what do others really think about it, like their boss or...or did they just think it was funny and without even thinking put it on...

Laurie Kolp said...

I agree... it's tacky and rude... but they are really only making themselves seem that way.

Daydreamertoo said...

I agree with you on this. In the UK calling someone a bitch is one of the worst insults you have can say. I hate the expression because it usually always said with anger.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed the poem. The ending took me by surprise; very clever.

Ravenblack said...

Brian, Laurie, Daydreamer, manicdaily, thanks for your visit and comments.

I don't know if anyone remembers but some where in the mid 90s I think, there was a pop song where the singer proclaimed that she is a b* in her song. The song was not played by many radio stations in my country. She's a one-hit wonder and no wonder.

Unknown said...

Raven, I completely agree, I hear people putting themselves and their friends down all the time, and it's become almost acceptable. Pity that. Great write- really interesting take on the bumper sticker prompt- love the flow, it's like 6 quick thoughts, connected in succession, the space between is perfect. Great job, thanks for the read

Sheila said...

great read. I think mostly it is a cultural thing but I don't know much (smiles)

Anonymous said...

Powerful expression. I don't feel quite as stongly about the word bitch because it is a word. The delivery and intent of the word make it either neutral or vindictive. Well written.

hedgewitch said...

Personally I have a higher opinion of most dogs than I do of most people, so I have no problem with the term, but your poem's a great take on the prompt and I enjoyed it much.

seasideauthor said...

One hit wonder or no it
stick like a stick in mud.
That is way older than me, too.
Great write!

Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson Barry said...

wise thoughts,
agreed.

a well polished write.

Unknown said...

No matter what the reason, I think it's an insulting and crude way to refer to anyone. Nicely expressed :)

Anonymous said...

Reclaiming derogatory words doesn't always accomplish its ends. There are other words here in the US (I won't write them) that are so vile no one attempts to reclaim them. Interestingly they are almost always a reference to women. I don't call myself or others names because I want respect and dignity. Don't we all?

tinkwelborn said...

good poem from the topic of Bumper Stickers....creatively done.
I like the last two couplets best...it tells me (reader) you're reading a bumper sticker & you're 'pissed'

the premise is a description of a 'Bitch' and some of it's connotations, today. then, it introduces a new connotation of a compliment, going into your turn.

nice poem. thanks for sharing.

Ravenblack said...

Thanks everyone for your feedback and thoughts on this. You guys have given me much to think about in some of your comments as well. Thank you!

Mary said...

I agree with your poem and what others have said. I don't like the word when it is said to a person. No one mentioned the term "biker bitch" which refers to the woman who rides as a passenger behind the driver of a motorcycle. I always hate that too, but even the woman herself sometimes refers to herself as that!

Anonymous said...

I so agree. Nicely penned.

Ravenblack said...

Thank you, Mary and Victoria. :)

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

eloquent words.

convincing take.
bless.

Ravenblack said...

Thanks Cello Strings. :)