Novelette

being called sweetheart 

by strangers is not my forte 

I wonder how I appeal to 

the population, what I portray 

Do they notice the difference in my 

energy when I’m having a bad day?

when I’m tired and my eyes are 

closing with my legs starting to sway

I’ve always wanted to wear pink silk slippers

and learn how to point my toes in ballet

I picture myself sitting in the back 

corner with my coffee at a small cafe

wearing leopard print with red lipstick, 

somewhere outside smoking a cigarette

hair done tousled and brunette and 

the lighting is shading off half of my face 

as if I were sketched into the background vignette

I won’t stay at the table long enough to make 

any impressions, my presence is impermanent

these recent times have been unfortunate,

but they make a current event for a journalist

try not to get caught in a trap

trust no one, watch your back

with love,

Novelette

- Leah Rae