Shrinking Women
"Shrinking Women" is a poem by Lily Myers.[1] Myers recited it at the 2013 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational; the video was subsequently reposted by Button Poetry and HuffPost, where it went viral. The video of this performance had been viewed more than five million times by 2016.[2] The poem explores how Myers's mother, and as she realizes, herself, have been taught to take up less space, particularly to "make room" for men, such as Myers's brother and father. For her mother, this manifests as consuming fewer calories, and Myers additionally links this to her own use of apologies when asking questions in class.[3] When spoken, the poem is about three and a half minutes long.[4]
At the Invitational, "Shrinking Women" won the "Best Love Poem" prize. Myers was invited on the radio show Here and Now to talk about the poem in 2014.[3]
Lily Myers[edit]
Lily Myers (born 1993 or 1994) was a sophomore at Wesleyan University when she attended the 2013 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational.[3] She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2015[5] with a degree in sociology.[6] In 2016, she announced the release of her debut novel, This Impossible Light, which was written in verse. Similar to the poem, the novel centered on eating disorders, body image, and transgenerational trauma.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Hamilton, Sydney (23 August 2016). "Why Lily Myers' "Shrinking Women" Is Necessary". Odyssey. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ a b Arreola, Cristina (21 October 2016). "Slam Poet Lily Myers Is Releasing A Novel In Verse About Eating Disorders & Self-Worth — SEE THE COVER". Bustle. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ a b c "Young Poet's 'Shrinking Women' Goes Viral". WBUR. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ Cueto, Emma (11 October 2013). "Lily Myers's Poem "Shrinking Women" is an Awesome Look at How Food, Family, and Self-Worth Intersect". Bustle. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ Ming, Zach (26 March 2015). "The Internet-famous poet Lily Myers '15 spoke to the Argus about her inspirations and aspirations, as well as her soon-to-be-published book". The Wesleyan Argus.
- ^ Cohen, Susan (19 November 2013). "Q&A: Viral Poetry Slammer Lily Myers". Forward. Retrieved 30 September 2019.