the belt congeals me into someone capable of

contributing to society, even if that is just

selling popcorn & Pepsi Max. today

an old man will comment on my nails

telling me they’re painted

as if I didn’t already know,

maybe I’ll thank him for making me aware or

brush it off with that haha thanks, next please,

I do so well.

the lady

who says they’re pretty

laughs herself into a cough

so suddenly we’re out of water & I’ve forgotten

how to perform CPR

until she

slithers

away with less

pluck than someone who chooses

to paint their nails.