Deserving

You can get away with picking your nose if you're Sylvia Plath.
You can do it and write about it. If you're slender and blonde.
and about to vomit up Ariel, or should I say birth
(which makes me think about her children & the gas getting turned on,
so maybe not). I know a woman, a dancer, who barely bathes.
Her breath is bad. She thinks deodorant is a capitalist plot.
Her husband's adorable. I wonder if he ever has to turn away.
Or if he puts Vicks up his nose like a homicide cop.
One of my ex-therapists explained how body positive she was
by describing the receptionist at her dentist's office, very large,
but with fabulous glasses, big earrings, good makeup, nice clothes.
All women have to make an effort. Some less. Some more.
Maybe now is when I get to look as if I simply do not care.
To smell so bad. Have smeary eyes. Eat men like air.