I'm 17 and I still don't know how to
Dress nice.
I will be a woman soon.
I am going to have to know.

My whole life
I practically refused
To dress fancy;
In heels,
Lace,
Jewelry,
Silk,
Shalls,
Skirts,
Ruffles,
Anything.

Because I felt so uncomfortable.
So undeserving
So misplaced
I would feel stupid
I didn't feel good enough
I always
Felt like I was doing it wrong.
It made me feel uglier.

Then I just wear
Converse,
Flannels,
Fipped jeans,
Handmade bracelets, and
I feel more in my element.
But I don't feel accepted.
I feel judged.

My wardrobe isn't for a woman.
My wardrobe is still for a
Little girl
Who grew up in a neighborhood
With boys.
I'm still a little girl
Who wants to go play basketball.

I hope I can learn
To dress professionally
And be confident with
Myself.

They exchanged glances and
The occasional
Simper on the
Subway for a
Period of time.

One thing they shared in
Common was the street
The escaped to
On their lunch breaks.

He, the high-class, affluent luncheonette.
She, the lenient yet eloquent café.

For her it's a brief
Getaway to some
Liberating
Arcadian.
She could be at peace.

Except not this time.
Not this time at all.
He was traipsing
Right up to her.

Her heart is racing and she has lost her breath.
Then he says, "will you have lunch with me, dear?"