To be beautiful.
Delicate.
Decorative.
Never anything less.
Appearance is value
and value is existence.
Silence and smiles
never quite reach the eyes
that shine so polished it exposes the
eyes of the beholder
who holds something so precious
so fragile
it must be hidden from reckless grasps.
To sit and look pretty
no smudges or chips allowed.
Makeup always on point
with smooth, porcelain skin
hair shiny and maintained
framing the face effortlessly.
Eyelashes so long and curled
they brush the eyelid’s surface.
No cracks in appearance must display.
A scratch on the face?
A decline in value.
Keep up that polite smile and stare
out at the world
close but distanced.
Silence is a virtue
as compliance is a lifestyle.
If I crack, will I break?
Too lightweight
and I’ll shatter if I fall.
My emotions are in glassy confinement.
I am forever sitting atop this shelf
trapped by the claws of expectation.
About the Author
Taylor Vu is from Rock Creek, BC, currently living in Castlegar to attend Selkirk College as a first-year student. She strives to finish her Associate of Arts degree before moving onto a Bachelor of Arts. Much of her writing incorporates personal experiences or beliefs since that is where she draws her inspiration to write. Any time she can spare, Taylor will cozy down in her bed to read.
