she used books
as her book-ends
and placed her random thoughts
somewhere in between
her own face
unreadable
the lips were locked
and the words held in place
behind her gleaming teeth
what lies far beneath
can be rocks
and waves
untenable
ascertained but too lately seen
do your best
darling
to look
presentable
and
never
ever
betray
the tender
under-belly
unless you
bring
sharp sticks
barbs of wit
and the jive and shuck and spit
of a champion.
LEGAL COPYRIGHT FOR THIS POEM/SNIPPET
8:09 AM PST 4/11/2021 TIME AND DATE STAMPED
AND ALSO FOR THIS POETTESS/WRITER MELISSA A. HOWELLS
AND ASLO FOR THIS LEGALLY COPYRIGHTED SITE TITLE
MELOO STRAIGHT FROM HER TILT-A-WORLD
WRITTEN DIRECTLY TO THE PAGE...PERHAPS EXPANDED LATER...OR NOT
metaphorical reference to the incomparable Cinderella Man