Happy for a time

If I shave my head I’ll learn

who my real friends are. I look and look

at my eyebrows but never know for sure

where to pluck. I tell my reflection Don’t worry,

your blue lipstick is cute. I tell her

I love her and we don’t know why

we’re crying. At the gym, to be brave,

I walk slowly

to the showers

in my new red thong.

Next week I will even look

straight at the mirror

like Arcimboldo

at a gourd. I eat a bit

of mould and call it immunization. Brush

my dog’s back teeth for ten seconds and call it

accomplishment on my CV. When I fill

an online shopping cart I delete everything

except the best yellow sweater, wear it

for three sleeps, and am so happy

for a time.