Buddhist Barbie by Denise Duhamel

Buddhist Barbie

by Denise Duhamel

(published in her book, Kinky, Orchises Press, 1997)

In the 5th century B.C.

an Indian philosopher

Gautama teaches "All is emptiness"

and "There is no self."

In the 20th century A.D.

Barbie agrees, but wonders how a man

with such a belly could pose,

smiling, and without a shirt.