Heppermann - Poisoned Apples

Once there was a girl who thought bones looked nice. Once there was a girl who had limbs as blue as razors. Once there was a girl who sat by a pool in August wrapped in a quilt. Once there was a girl who even after she became a beast, soft fur blanketing her cheeks, belly, and back, still shaved her legs. Once there was a girl who peeled grapes, who picked at salads, who piled leaves on top of the cheese. Once there was a girl who dared not swallow anything but air, so she hid her saliva in plastic bags beneath her bed.

Once there was a girl who wrote BLOATED WHALE inside the pocket of her skinny jeans. Once there was a girl whose little sister pretended all the dollies had feeding tubes. Once there was a girl whose father held her tight to stop her from doing crunches. Once there was a girl whose mothers dreams all became nightmares. Once there was a girl who longed to be brave enough to stick her finger down her throat, to measure herself by the teaspoon, to shrink to the size of a serving. Once there was a girl who lay still for the doctor.

Once there was a girl whose favorite nurse called her Sugar. Once there was a girl whose heart burrowed deep in the hollow of her chest and went to sleep.

I t used to be just the one, but now all mirrors chatter. In fact, every reflective surface has opinions on the shape of my nose, the size of my chest, the hair I wash and brush until its so shiny I can see myself scribbling notes as each strand recommends improvements. I make sure to write them all down when all I really want is to stop at the market and flirt with the butcher, ignoring his critical knives, haggling, for once, over the cost of some other poor creatures thighs.

A fter the kiss and the trip to the castle comes the showering, shaving, shampooing, conditioning, detangling, trimming, moussing, blow-drying, brushing, curling, de-frizzing, extending, texturizing, waxing, exfoliating, moisturizing, tanning, medicating, plucking, concealing, smoothing, bronzing, lash lengthening, plumping, polishing, glossing, deodorizing, perfuming, reducing, cinching, controlling, padding, accessorizing, visualizing, meditating, powdering, primping, luminizing, correcting, re-curling, re-glossing, and spraying.

A fter the kiss and the trip to the castle comes the showering, shaving, shampooing, conditioning, detangling, trimming, moussing, blow-drying, brushing, curling, de-frizzing, extending, texturizing, waxing, exfoliating, moisturizing, tanning, medicating, plucking, concealing, smoothing, bronzing, lash lengthening, plumping, polishing, glossing, deodorizing, perfuming, reducing, cinching, controlling, padding, accessorizing, visualizing, meditating, powdering, primping, luminizing, correcting, re-curling, re-glossing, and spraying.

No wonder that hundred-year nap just doesnt seem long enough.

S ome say the Before poem had character. This poem is much more attractive. With the Healing Brush Tool I took out most of the lines. I left in a few so it wouldnt look unnatural.

F irst thing through the door, Jed compliments Moms new haircut.

He listens to Dad go off. Guess well have to wait for baseball, Jed, to win back Husky pride. He brings state quarters for my sisters lame collection. She shrieks like they are diamonds. Finally he guides me down the slippery driveway to his car, engine running, heat on high so I wont be cold. He says, Girl, you look amazing.

That sweater makes your boobs look way bigger.

S imon says touch your toes. Simon says turn around. Simon says touch your toes again. Now wiggle a little. Simon says he is not a pervert.

Simon says hop on one foot. Simon didnt say stop hopping! Hop closer. Simon says hop closer. Simon says is that a push-up bra? Geez, honey, calm down. Simon says calm down. On second thought, Simon says youre pretty cute when youre all worked up like that.

Wanna hop your sweet self into my office and see my sofa bed? Simon says, we were just playing, Officer. Simon, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.