i am working very hard at being noticed.
long streaks of eyeliner keep my paper white face from slipping into 21 year old patterns
that i often see on my walks
skinny jeans give my body permanence
new, high-heeled sneakers
walk me back to flesh and bone:
the stains on my lips remind me to exist.

i am falling behind
blending in
fading away
from over-exposure
i must find new ways
to darken my frame
define my lines
make me easier to see
if you look at me
then i exist

i exist

i exist

i exist