Dress pet peeves

By Angelina Sáenz
If you are going to wear this dress 
you have to respect the rules

Yes, they are conservative and strict 
but this is our history and heritage

For example
you should always wear a petticoat
Your dress should be high-neck—
nothing off the shoulders
Your hair cannot be down 
it should be gathered at the neck
held by a ribbon
tied in a perfect butterfly bow

I am offended
when you don’t observe the requirements 
This attire has a long tradition
We are representing our culture

Notes:

This poem is part of the portfolio “Escaramuza, the Poetics of Home.” You can read the rest of the portfolio in the April 2025 issue. 

Source: Poetry (April 2025)
  • Article

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    Introduction: Escaramuza, the Poetics of Home

    By Constance Jaeggi

    This folio pairs my photographic portraits of US-based escaramuzas with commissioned poetry by the Mexican American poets ire’ne lara silva and Angelina Sáenz.