“Etch-A-Sketch Eyes”

Sam Hendrian

Deleted another dating app

After one too many offputting come-on

From people who were only interested

In what they saw behind the bra.

 

She didn’t want everything

So most assumed she wanted nothing,

Projecting their personal priorities

Upon her etch-a-sketch eyes.

 

Which was why she washed herself with Dove,

The least scented soap available

As proof she never tried hard,

Never expected more than an apartment tour.

 

Rent remained unreasonable

No matter how run-down the kitchenette

With cobwebs on the microwave

And dust mites in the stove.

 

Kindness and generosity existed

But were gatekept by savior complexes

And a perpetually imbalanced bedroom

Because nice guys finish first.

 

Plenty had loved all of her

At one point or another

Albeit piece by piece,

Whichever part suited them then.