Marilyn larger than life

We recently spent a couple of days in the Palm Springs, California area - ostensibly to see the 26-foot tall (equivalent to about three stories) and 34,000 pound statue of Marilyn Monroe, built out of stainless steel and aluminum. 

We also spent some time with some dear friends who live year-long in the desert. But for me the highlight was Marilyn. The statue, called "Forever Marilyn,"  created by sculptor, Seward Johnson, now age 80, will be in downtown Palm Springs until June 2013. 

Photos taken with my cell phone

Still Life

I walk up behind her.

Her champagne-colored skirt

billows up showing

her matching panties,

and long straight legs

spread wide.

I walk around

to see her face on

and find a Marilyn

smiling, happy,

her red lips parted,

eyes closed.

She holds her skirt

to keep the wind

from flying it up in front.

as a pleated halter

in the same champagne color

keeps her breasts

exactly in the right place.

This Marilyn,

strong, substantial,

built larger than life,

belies the insecure,

melancholy Marilyn

who left us

over fifty years ago.