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The Origin of the World 

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After the Painting by Gustave Courbet 

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Sheet pulled up over your arms and your head,

Thighs open wide and pudendum on show,

I can’t help thinking you look like you’re dead.

 

Maybe it's how you’re arranged on the bed

Makes one suppose there's a tag on your toe.     

Sheet pulled up over your arms and your head,

 

You’re not a girl but an object instead,

Wholly reduced to anatomy, so 

I can’t help thinking you look like you’re dead.

                                                                                                                        

Scholars may tut and assert I’ve misread

What’s going on this picture, but no:

Sheet pulled up over your arms and your head

 

Means, in effect, your identity’s shed:

You’re Everywoman - I get it, although

I can’t help thinking you look like you’re dead.

 

Models for paintings don’t usually spread,

Flaunting the parts that they have down below.

Sheet pulled up over your arms and your head,

I can’t help thinking you look like you’re dead.