the zeitgeist of zoe

My hips

I’m not a skinny girl. I never will be; my DNA does not code for thin. And that is perfectly alright with me!

Someone asked me today, if I had to describe my body in one word, what would it be.

My knee-jerk response was almost “curvy”, which is not a bad choice, “voluptuous” was ok too, but both that and curvy seemed too…I dunno…mainstream. “Buxom” would also have worked, however I don’t really like the idea of summing the whole of my physicality up in the fact that I have big boobs. I’m sure you understand ; )

So I thought for a few moments and then replied, “zaftig”.

For those of you who don’t speak Yiddish, that means “juicy” or “succulent”.

Yeah. Perfect.

And I thought of this poem by Lucille Clifton, which I have always loved:

“these hips are big hips.
they need space to
move around in.
they don’t fit into little
petty places.
these hips are free hips.
they don’t like to be held back.
these hips have never been enslaved,
they go where they want to go
they do what they want to do.
these hips are mighty hips.
these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top”

Oh yes they have!

My hips are by no means extraordinarily large, but they are the hips of a woman. From ahead of me or behind, if you see me walking there is no doubt about that.

In a world where “Plus Size” has somehow, mind-bendingly, become size 8, I am proud to be Zaftig. I love my curves and the fact that my body is soft and round and sensual, but still strong and able to do whatever I ask of it (including all those things that spin a man like a top).

It’s Friday night my wonderful female friends…get out there and let those beautiful hips of yours work some magic!

Live juicy girls…live juicy : )