Each Movement is a Defense

She has to be
this idea--

the assertive voice,
the aggression and sass,
the decking me twice

--because each movement is a defense
against becoming seen.

Reviews

[C. Rose]

When I read this I imagine an over controlling boyfriend. He has an 'idea' of what she must be, he is violent when this is not the case. But "sass" and "against becoming seen" do not fit with my interpretation - so clearly I am missing something? I like the visual symmetry of the dashes. The phrase "each movement is a defense" and "against becoming seen" are very thought provoking, but I do not see the correlation with the overall poem. Whose movement?

[Andrew Geary]

Thanks for reviewing and I like your interpretation and something I wasn't intended (but wish I had.)

The movement belongs to the subject the speaker is referring to. The speaker states that she has to be an "idea" that is represented by certain traits and carried out by certain movements or actions. The speaker believes that she is trying to make herself into this idea, "the sassy girl," (we all know her) as a way to shield others from what she actually is, to make sure she isn't "seen." I hope this helps.

[C. Rose]

I see! :D Love how you are defining 'movement' as choices/words/actions. Reminds me of chess.

[Andrew Geary]

It's all about strategy.