—After Richard Avedon’s photograph,
Dovima With Elephants, 1955
Setup, after setup. Shot, after
Shot- Lights flashing in my eyes.
Complaints of my smell. They
chained and staked me to the
ground. Used my body to
showcase Dovima’s elegant
beauty. My wrinkled skin—
The silk of a Dior dress.
Was it Shakespeare who said:
Hell is empty, all the devils are
here. “The Tempest,” I think.
Yes, my photo hangs at MoMa.
But at what price art?
Angry? I got over the whole thing
years ago —I practice forgiveness.
Forgive, but never forget.
In the end, it was nothing—I was
taken from my mother, whom I
loved—And shipped across the sea.
