the prettiest woman in the room is
a little blonde girl
flower in her hair
sports jacket on
quietly listens to music &
entertains herself
by studying all the
loud adults around her
I don't know
what the question
in her eyes is
but
I wish
she would ask
me.


her father
sitting across from her
is a man
who at first glance
exudes boredom
but upon further inspection
the sad way
he holds his mouth
& looks down his nose
at the magazine that keeps him
mildly captivated
give him away;
wanted a beauty salon,
settled for Avon.