time
burning up the hours
as if they’re calories
and I’m on an exercise machine.
Not for this queen!

I ****
men
softly with my body –
La petite mort
a shoddy sport

I ****
myself
wearing make-up
so I can look like
a model
and have men
coddle me
as if I'm an egg.

I ****
woman
with laughter.
But after I leave
the room
and take off the mask
they don't ask
about me –
Guess they can live
without me!