AU REVOIR, BRIGITTE BARDOT

You bewitched me with sweet song and dance, with scintillating movie upon scintillating movie and provocative pinup images that covered every wall, stirring thoughts that were at once adoring, libidinous and caring. 

The draw first struck me through the iconic And God Created Woman, and from there I succumbed to a joyous string: The Legend of Frenchie King, Shalako, Viva Marie!, Come Dance With Me, Please Not Now!, Contempt, Spirits of the Dead, Mademoiselle Striptease (Plucking the Daisy), Naughty Girl, Love is My Profession, Act of Love, School for Love, Crazy for Love, Love on the Pillow, The Truth, It Happened All Night, Two Weeks in September, The Light Across the Street, Royal Affairs in Versailles, The Ravishing Idiot, The Bride is Much Too Beautiful, Doctor at Sea, The Female, Babette Goes to War, Helen of Troy, Nero's Mistress, The Grand Maneuver, Her Father's Portrait, Testament of Orpheus, A Very Private Affair, Marina, the Girl in the Bikini, Dear Brigitte and a continuous, amorous flow that rolled onward and circled back, enchanting me all over again.

Of course, I'm not the only one who fell under your spell, Madame Bardot. The whole world did, which is why your passing hits so damn hard. All the same, we'll continue to worship your essence, your eternal beauty, as we always have, ensuring that your legend never fades. In fact, our impassioned devotion guarantees that it will grow all the greater, whether it be in Heaven, on Mt. Olympus or wherever angels and goddesses choose to roam.