Winning Back the Other Half

Dear tormented reflection,
I’m sorry I haven’t the exotic features you desire.
From my lifeless matted locks to my blemish covered complexion,
I can’t seem to fix my inadequate beauty.
Blame it on my family genetics.
Sound accusations of hasty hearsay.

Now, let’s collaborate around the mirror.
Our little tradition so it appears.
With a fast hand,
I circle my areas of concern.
Soon, you are covered in green marks.
Eight maybe nine little changes –
What could be the harm?
However, I still see you cringe in sharp anguish.
The drama you generate clinging onto the backs of my heels.
You see, even with my lips stained in Red Delicious no. 4,
I’m afraid our state will be no different.
If I learn to accept the fun, genuine, lovable
Self I should see in you,
Then perhaps picture day won’t be so difficult.

Diary of a Dream Home

When Lindsay and Mark got married, they built a beautiful home on Waterbrook Drive, one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Elk Cove. Charming red-brown bricks and four strong standing columns guarded their house with a two level deck in the back. In the front yard, maple trees lined the driveway and elegant rose bushes were neatly trimmed by the front door. “Our house is by far the best one on the block,” commented Mark. Lindsay nodded. The couple couldn’t be happier.

Years passed and the young couple now had a child. The gorgeous baby girl’s name was Megan. She had blue eyes with a green silhouette and fluffy auburn hair. Shortly after her birth, Mark’s mom was a regular guest. They cooed over Megan for hours and forgot about House’s bath. House didn’t mind though, it preferred waiting another year for the living room window scrub, because usually Mark’s squeegees tickled House.” Lindsay and Mark are just too busy with Megan and work,” House reassured himself, “I kind of enjoy the activity anyway”. After all, the busy family was still happy.

More years went by and the family still appeared happy. Megan, Lindsay, and Mark were all in good health, including their cat Luke. House remained in beautiful condition. However, their perfectly wrapped family was coming undone. Inside their room, the lovely couple fought about everything sometimes even House. While outside the door, little Megan cried grasping her doll. Every night when tensions would rise, House stand tall as it was instructed and would not speak. When the family set out with smiles each morning, House still felt the ugly shadows left behind and still said nothing. Eventually, House lost his voice. Now the family could only be seen happy on the wall by the stairwell.

Even more time slipped by and the house was still considered a dream home to envious neighbors. It was immaculately clean; a cleaning crew came once a year to wash the house’s windows. They never used the ticklish ones. The deck glowed with a weather resistant coating and the lawn care service always did a good job keeping up with the grass. Nevertheless, the beautiful house was alone. Mark “took a job in the city” last year, Lindsay was always at work or something, and Megan ran a lot after school. All the pictures by the stairwell were taken down after Mark moved out and all traces of their happy family were missing. On the outside the house was still great, but the inside was hollow and drafty.

For the dOrks

It’s been one of those days. Yes, you know exactly. The day you’re sitting in class chewing on your thumbnail, you hear a crack, and notice you were actually chewing on your thumbnail. Or how about that day you forgot to put on deodorant that morning. The rest of the day you end up sitting arms crossed, stiff, and looking slightly constipated. In other words, you just feel like a complete dork.
School is intimidating enough. 2000+ teenagers in one building is sure to frighten any parent away. Especially with girls- let’s call her Suzie- running around the school with gorgeous hair and perfectly un-chipped thumbnails. What makes these Suzies so damn flawless? Their confidence.
Going up the stairwell to journalism today, I saw the Suzie. She was right in front of me wearing the absolute prettiest shade of light blue. With each step, her curls bounced in unison. Suddenly, a voice called out Suzie’s name from the top of the stairs and she looked up. With one graceful misstep, she lost her footing. The stairs caved beneath her and she rose un-phased with only a smile strung across her face. Her friend, still laughing at the klutz move, shook her head and both girls went off down the hallway.
If girls like Suzie could fall down, then there must be hope for the rest of us but to get back up with a smile takes a whole different kind of self-assurance. The truth is we are all just closet dorks but some of us are just better at hiding it.