Performance as a Woman by Laurel Galford (Massachusetts, 29)

Smudge your face with chemicals
that promise a permanent youth,
though your skin will eventually
rebel into aging.
​
Straighten your hair with oven heat
even when it burns your neck
pretend the marks are hickeys,
pretend that someone loves you.
​

​Shape your body into the pants
not the other way around,
changing sizes so many times
it is practically a magic trick.

Stain your lips with the smile
of submission,
but hope your mouth does not
invite open conversation.

Hide the weapons
inside your keys,
and hope you never
have to use them.




Laurel Galford (she/her) is a queer social worker, aspiring writer, and likely in the middle of reading three books at one time. She has participated in online writing workshops with Andrea Gibson, Megan Falley, and Olivia Gatwood, poets that greatly inspire her. Her work has been featured in Anti-Heroin Chic, Perfumed Pages, and Tiny Wren Lit. When not writing, Laurel can be found rock climbing, talking about astrology or adding more books to the pile next to her bed.