wants to see the world,
she does get a little
seasick but likes
the white uniform, tho
the skirt is a little
too loose and long for
her taste. Still it might
be a change she can go
with. Actually the sequins
dug into her shoulders,
the ballerina tulle
scratched, and tho it was
kept secret, fun fur
made her sneeze. And
forget the Parisian
Bonjour look: that was
the worst, a cameo
choker size of a plum
or a small coconut
wedged against her larynx,
so she says when I try
to say yes or no it
scraped, and the lace
under my arms—talk
about sandpaper. But
the worst was those fish
net hose, rough, and the
garter, Jesus, grating,
my toes burned from that
pattern, crammed into
high-heeled platform
open-toes and the hair
piece with feathers. At
least in the navy they've
actually, she smiles,
given me something to
read. My hair is natural.
I'm authentic. First
Class Petty Officer.
I finally am more than
just a pretty: I rank
LYN LIFSHIN