The “male gaze” is an important concept. However, the phrase often diminishes the sense of power held by the person being gazed at. Beauty and social hierarchy has its privileges, and its nuisances. “The Once-Over” by Paul Blackburn from the late 1950s holds that sense nicely.
“Stirring dull roots with spring rain” alludes to “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot (which I wrote about here), putting Eliot in the role of Blackburn’s “preacher”. While attending a religious service with T.S. Eliot holds some novel appeal (“Hey, that’s T.S. Eliot!” would be my recurring thought), I’m not sure Eliot would hold my heathen attention for more than a few minutes on the topic of religion. Maybe if he talked about his banking instead I’d be rapt for longer.
The Once-Over
By Paul Blackburn
The tanned blonde
in the green print sack
in the center of the subway car
standing
tho there are seats
has had it from
I teen-age hood
I lesbian
I envious housewife
4 men over fifty
(& myself), in short
the contents of this half of the car
Our notations are :
long legs, long waists, high breasts (no bra), long
neck, the model slump
the handbag drape & how the skirt
cuts in under a very handsome
set of cheeks
“stirring dull roots with spring rain”, sayeth the preacher
Only a stolid young man
with a blue business suit and the New York Times
does not know he is being assaulted.
So.
She has us and we have her
all the way to downtown Brooklyn
Over the tunnel and through the bridge
to DeKalb Avenue we go
all very chummy
She stares at the number over the door
and gives no sign
Yet the sign is on her
