Alcestis on the Poetry Circuit 2.0 (Roberto Rodriguez Rooted in Bondage Mix)

from Alcestis on the Poetry Circuit 2.0 [Roberto Rodriguez Mixes] by Vanessa Daou

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lyrics

Alcestis on the Poetry Circuit 2.0

The best slave
does not need to be beaten.
She beats herself.

Not with a leather whip,
or with stick or twigs,
not with a blackjack
or a billyclub,
but with the fine whip
of her own tongue
& the subtle beating
of her mind
against her mind.

For who can hate her half so well
as she hates herself?
& who can match the finesse
of her self-abuse?

Years of training
are required for this.
Twenty years
of subtle self-indulgence,
self-denial;
until the subject
thinks herself a queen
& yet a beggar -
both at the same time.
She must doubt herself
in everything but love.

She must choose passionately
& badly.
She must feel lost as a dog
without her master.
She must refer all moral questions
to her mirror.
She must fall in love with a cossack
or a poet.

She must never go out of the house
unless veiled in paint.
She must wear tight shoes
so she always remembers her bondage.
She must never forget
she is rooted in the ground.

Though she is quick to learn
& admittedly clever,
her natural doubt of herself
should make her so weak
that she dabbles brilliantly
in half a dozen talents
& thus embellishes
but does not change
our life.

If she’s an artist
& comes close to genius,
the very fact of her gift
should cause her such pain
that she will take her own life
rather than best us.

& after she dies, we will cry
& make her a saint.

Written by Vanessa Daou, Peter Daou and Erica Mann Jong
Published by Almo Music Corp / Vandal Publishing (ASCAP) / The Zipless Company (ASCAP)
© 1994

credits

from Alcestis on the Poetry Circuit 2.0 [Roberto Rodriguez Mixes], released May 24, 2019
Written by Vanessa Daou, Peter Daou and Erica Mann Jong
Published by Almo Music Corp / Vandal Publishing (ASCAP) / The Zipless Company (ASCAP)
Text by Erica Jong
Vocals by Vanessa Daou
Music by Vanessa Daou and Peter Daou
Additional production, arrangements and remix by Roberto Rodriguez

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KID Recordings New York, New York

KID Recordings is a New York-based independent dance and electronic label imprint founded in 2010. An outpost for sophisticated and eclectic music beyond borders, the label's diverse roster includes: Vanessa Daou, Ganga, Nightriders, Tomasz Guiddo, Nomi Ruiz, Allies For Everyone, Lydia Rhodes, Meltonix, Chris Brann, Morel, Burnside Project, Sunrise HWY, Goldswagger and more. ... more

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