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