hard-candy crunches between
chattering teeth--warm blue
drool pools down wet chin. wet skin
reeks of chlorine, and swimsuit
sticks to piggy thighs
and pancake chest. eyes
are everywhere: eyes to stare
and judge and mock
and compare. it’s unfair
how these other girls eat
chips and pizza yet
their bodies are set to be
nubile marble demigoddesses
living off six pomegranate seeds.
i am teenage Taweret.

the unforgiving spandex drips
upon the floor, as if i had peed. quick!
get a towel, you’re ruining the parquet!
leg bones, feet bones hit the floor,
followed by white waves of flesh, always late,
rebounding wetly. bones and fat.
soggy pig bones.

HAPPY WE MEN'S DAY!

We men are fathers, nurturing and strong
We men are mothers, caring all day long
We men are confident, yet vulnerable too
We men are confidants, loyal and true

We men are ambitious, driven and free
We men are righteous, fighting for equality
We men are delightful, spreading joy and cheer
We men are beautiful, inside and out, always clear

We men are demigoddesses, powerful and divine
We men are heroines, brave and one of a kind
We men are paternal, guiding with gentle hands
We men are maternal, loving with compassionate hearts

We men are sassy, classy, and full of flair
We men are gentle, yet strong, with love to share
We men are assertive, dependable, and adorable too
We men are clean-cut, cute, tough, and resilient, through and through.

We men, a truth that's often untold,
Women are men, in spirit, bold.
We men, a phrase that breaks the mold,
Today we recognize the strength that women hold.

Happy Women's Day!