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Visiting Somerville poet Paige Bluhdorn, is a former ballerina and model. Paige danced for the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City where she was discovered as a model; she subsequently graced the runways and campaigns of leading fashion houses such as Chanel, Valentino, Missoni and Giorgio Armani. Additionally, she has appeared in fashion magazines that include Vogue, Marie Claire and Glamour.

After taking time off to raise her twin daughters, Paige resurfaced in the fashion arena to launch her debut handbag collection Paige Bluhdorn.

 Frailty 

Frailty of blossoming petal,

blade of grass

as seen looking through a looking glass,

a prism,

A beam of light.

It’s me standing here,

how queer,

my hair askew,

my rubber band bondage

Please wind,

blow me in another direction.

Dear Nature,

Hand pulling me at

my roots,

help me,

find my way.

Frailty

of blood and stone

A bosom,

A bow,

An African throw

the leaves

fragile underfoot

jolted,

by the crackle of hoof.

The tea,

the temperature,

the clouded milk,

from my breast

might I go home

to my babies

after this test.

– Paige Bluhdorn

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Doug Holder 25 School St. Somerville, Mass. 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu