dark red nails
for nobody imparticular,
as I clink my fingernails
against the plastic cup this bar can’t afford

there are bugs in my draft beer,
that I swish around
and gobble up
hoping one of them is dangerous -
poisonous

we can’t all be so fortunate though.

They play old, slow country songs
on nights like Tonight
and the girls giggle
while their pink fingernails
cover their shiny teeth
when the boys grab them for a dance.

I’ve danced here a few times,
though I don’t cover my toothy grin
with the fingernails that hold my glass upright

I am uninhibited,
even in this small town
where skin is a form of toxicity
that makes me push my ******* just That
much closer together

So pretty, pretty, pretty
that’s all they have to say
the girl from New York City
shines oh so brigh-tuh-ly

“Pour me another drink,”
I say
as their polished nails fade away
and mine stay
dark and red
chipped and
clinking the plastic cups
that I can’t afford.