By Misti Velvet Rainwater
Date: 10 April 2000
Unvarnished
When you say I'm weird
out there
mousy
way too deep
ridiculous
I can believe it
When you label me
a freak
a loser
a bitch
I know it
when you toss compliments my way
I burn with indignation
knowing you're lying
playing games
wanting something easy
don't tell me
I'm beautiful
don't bless me
with terms of endearment
give your babes and sweethearts
to someone
who walks the earth
in a breathtaking body
with shallow pools of lust
wasting in her eyes
don't deem me an angel
don't bow your head
and believe in me
don't dream me up
all tasty and warm
when that's what
you're hungry for
I'm comfortable
with the truth
resigned to being who I am
when the dress is too tight
I don't diet
I give it away
not just my feet
but my WHOLE BEING
is made of clay
I'll never
pretend otherwise
keep your roses
and Valentines
and hastily written
Hallmarkish poems
those cliches
are landmines
not even cleverly set
an obvious affront
to the desert landscape
that is
my home
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