I really had not wanted to go
a ball
in which one masquerades as someone else
but I went
as requested by a friend of the host.
I dressed myself as a gentleman
with tails
with top hat
a monocole on my eye
a cane in my hand
spinning as I walked the room.
Gaggles of girls
dressed in their finest
netted hair
jeweled busts
I could not help noticing
the glances thrown my way.
Off to the side
a young girl sat
alone
her dress
well
not so becoming
which I am sure she knew.
As I drew along next to her
I could hear the vicious whispers of the mean girls.
‘Do you see what she is wearing?’
‘Who told her she looked good in that color?’
The list of deficiencies included:
Hair drab and lifeless
Figure round and in need of a diet.
Nose to piggish rhinoplasty might be required.
As I listened with quiet horror
I realized that she too
this young jewel of a girl
was able to hear them.
I glided to a halt next to her
held out my hand
offering her respect
self worth
all that I can.
She placed her hand in mine
graceful as a ballerina she stood
we turned for the dance floor.
I saw those jealous girls glowering
and turned to them with a smile
my pithy comment
leaving them undone.
‘Where my young friend here will bloom with life
you shall always be ugly on the inside.’
August 31/18
Photo by Léonard Cotte on Unsplash
The Wonderful and Wacky World of One Single Mom 