Fashionista

Blank canvas reads as 
Invitation 
Provocation 
Double dare 
Incitement to rebel 

Regulations breed 
Subversive work-arounds 
Foster style built on 
Subtle permutations 
Covert bling 

The font on a lamé 
Patches marching up a sleeve 
A ring, a pierced ear 
Or nose 
Optimistic nails en-armored in 
Enameled heraldry 

Masks like jewels 
Or flags, beasts, flames 
Monsters, Contemporary coats-of-arms 
Concealing 


Hair in spikes, or dreads 
Shagged, mohawked, braided 
Died in all the hues the 
Jacket lacks 

 Below the knee a 
 Panoply of pattern 
Stripes, spots, dots 
Penguins 
Paw prints 
Stars 

Shoes flash semaphoric riffs in 
Red, purple, orange 
Viridian extremes 
Threaten retinal overload 


You think, in uniform, we look alike? 
Then look again, and marvel at the truth, that 

Creativity is fueled by limitations 

Follow the sartorial exploits of fencers with flair, in practice, in competition and on the podium on the Fencing Fashionista blog.

Scapulous

Shouldering a burden

Shouldering aside

Shoulder to the wheel

Scaffolding a

Chip, a

Cry, a

Heavy burden, heck, the

Cares of all the world

Broad, strong, cold, soft

Rubbing, shrugging, standing

Scheming with the head to

Rise above the rest

True, all true

Mainly, though, I know that mine is

Sore 

Sketch from Open Clip Art

Women's Practice

Sorry! That must have hurt
My fault--I hit too hard 
Oh dear, your hand...
Let me get some ice

No, no--that was your touch
I'm sure you started first
     my parry was too weak
     I countered into your attack

Wait! Your earring's coming loose
Let me secure the clip
They're very nice--a gift?

You too?! We must be synched
Of course it always starts before a
competition

Bear and Badger, photo courtesy of
PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Recovery

Water, salted nuts
Ice, bananas, gentle stretch
Heat, sleep, patience, time

Preparation

A mask, two cords, two 
working blades. What more do I 
need? Oh! Chocolate.