What I wish to do when they tell me to smile more

To the man serving me hot chocolate while my dad is in the bathroom
I tip the jar of crusty pennies into his coffee and watch them sink to the bottom
As crumbs and pockets of cream rise from the depths to break the surface
To the construction workers on the side of the street when I'm walking to rehearsal
I walk through the wet cement in four inch heels
I will rinse them like Thetis rinsed Achilles and they will break the foundation again
And again
To the boy I tutor who thinks I don't notice him staring down my shirt
I snatch my fifteen dollars out of his pocket and walk out of the library doors 
Leave him to dry tears on the math exam we both knew he would fail


 

ZoeBee

VT

18 years old

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