2014
"the next time he" contains a shining example of the power of the illustrations in Kaur's works. The illustrations are drawn by Kaur, and they add depth to the messages of the poems. In this poem, which is about the rejection of the criticism of body hair, the illustration is of a blissful woman, alluding to the Renaissance painting Sleeping Venus, with flowers and other flora growing on her legs. Her legs are covered in beauty, and she is happy and proud; Kaur's drawing suggests that women should feel that way about their bodies, no matter what. Secondly, when Kaur describes the offender as "that boy," she paints him in a demeaning light, that he is not mature enough to deserve a women, but his naivety allows him one more chance. This is another allusion to mythology and the relationship of female goddesses to male humans, particularly Diana.
The illustration and diction of the poem creates an overwhelmingly empowering message for women, saying that they are beautiful with or without hair, and men who think otherwise are not worth their time.
The illustration and diction of the poem creates an overwhelmingly empowering message for women, saying that they are beautiful with or without hair, and men who think otherwise are not worth their time.