Party of One, by Sarah Parmet

cutting    off
my split ends with
children’s scissors

smearing    red
watercolor paint
across my lips

tearing    silk
into a Barbie dress,
 rhinestoning

strings of plastic beads
around the curve
of my waist,

fingers   digging
for cold french fries
at the bottom of the greasy bag

prying    at
intertwining tangles,
dipping them in silence,

salt        burns
my tongue as I crumple
the bag into my palm,

balloons    floating
like awkward partygoers
along the ceiling

lonely   invitations
congealing on the window seat
under the sun.

I’m    ready
for my party of one.