an overlay, a coating
a charade. A colorful float
in the parade laid in metallic
and balloons. You’re a caricature,

a cartoon. You’re not
solid. You’re plated. You’re
created to tarnish. You’re the garnish,
not the meal. You’re the spoke

not the wheel. Both men and
women see you as a saint. But I see
you as you are -
a flake, a chip of paint.