A Study in the Domestic

I purchased the curlers
the dress long legs
 
I wanted to be 70s
and carefree but now
 
I am 90s and anxious
the grapefruit rotten
 
in the vegetable crisper
the joint abandoned
 
at the bathroom sink
I made a pot of coffee
 
but it turned out weak
as water all through
 
the drip I held my breasts
in prayer a prayer I took
 
from my parents the guests
are on their way expecting
 
floating islands mine only
coddled meringue out
 
to sea the girl at my feet
is wearing diamonds
 
for teeth all millennial
glib and glimmer she
 
extends her hand for what
is owed her and I want
 
to give her everything
but once again I’m stripped
 
and vague and all
that’s left is rotten fruit
 
 
 

Katie Mertz is Associate Editor for Whiskey Island and Assistant Poetry Editor for Phantom Limb Press. When she is not doing those things, she is co-curating the BIG BIG MESS reading series and making noise at the Cleveland State University Poetry Center. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Poor Claudia, Ilk, Toad le Journal, Birdfeast & others. Her poem "This is How to Be Good" was nominated for a 2014 Pushcart Prize. She lives in Akron, Ohio.