The Poetry Project

Barbarella

Juliette Jeffers

While crawling on the yellow shag rug,
I lost sense of space and time.

I am from Earth and I know how to fight
in many different beds and eras of architecture.

In the waiting room, I was asked to choose
between three exciting forms of death.

I was told I would find myself in the lake of evil,
experience its terrible appetite for light.

This is really a much too poetic way to die!
Instead of dying, I ended up at a party.

Highly innovative sex radiated from my palms.
My chest was bright red. I felt ridiculous.

But as usual, men were willing to help.
Essence of man, I stayed,

enjoying the hookah lounge
in my long white gloves.

When we reach the crescendo,
you will die of pleasure, they said,

What kind of girl are you?
Have you no shame?

#284 - Spring 2026