loose plait, hair bulges
like humid sky
preparing
to rain
ungainly, untidy, unlawful hair
an untidy smile too:
metal braces gleam
like stray coins in
street musician’s hats
coins that blink like stars or like
full moon wide eyes, eyes that track
cars racing bikes, adolescent
in their impotent rage,
which make her smile her untidy smile
untidy but genuine, it crinkles her eyes,
stretches her face
like bubblegum.
it doesn’t owe allegiance to anything
or anyone; she smiles when she wants
so she “takes everything too seriously,”
the natural conclusion
to lustreless eyes unblinkingly
and unthinkingly cataloging the world, to them
smiles are like currency
(sodden paper owned by sweaty fingers)
to be given and taken,
a service
and not smiling, a disservice.
“she takes everything too seriously”
teachers complain
at airless PTMs
and airless birthday parties-
though she dances the Birdy Dance
with great enthusiasm, if not skill
invitations dry up
like muddy puddles in the sun,
which make her smile
in them she sees
the potential of iridescence
muted family conversations
echo
barbed asides in (airless) classrooms
echo
the puzzled politeness of strangers in transit
unable to explain
why this untidy girl
and her untidy smile
worry them so
(i found iridescence
in street music
i thought of you
and smiled.)
