The Poet Laureate of Jones Street

They march in single file
along the fashion highway

super-thin models
their faces frozen.

For awhile, you’re up there
with them

detached

your hips bouncing to the hip-hop beat
your eyes shouting to the applause

Look at me.
Don’t look at me.

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2008

Note:
These women so visible, no one can see them.

“how one does not see the maids/
when they pass by
with trays of deviled eggs//
arranged in daisy wheels”
Julia Alvarez. Homecoming

………………………………………….

Elles

Elles défilent une par une
sur la passerelle

les top models ultraminces
au visage de glace (figé)

Et pendant un instant
tu es là-haut avec elles

détachée

tes hanches balancent au rythme du hip-hop
tes yeux crient aux applaudissements

Regarde-moi.
Ne me regarde pas

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2008
Traduction: Françoise Parouty