Over 9 years ago

“Be Prepared”

I quit Girl Scouts
the day after the troop
had polishing silver day.
It was a child’s version
of buyer’s remorse. It was like
you get married and your
spouse starts making pet
jewelry. Polishing silver was
a preview to dater’s remorse.
I was 24 and on a third date.
My date’s living room
was equipped with a
stripper pole and disco
ball. Like a sort of sexual
hostage, he forced a
strip tease-pole dance on me.
Scattered clothes around
the room. Him, upside down,
hanging from the pole.
Me, on the couch, like a
1950s secretary with
agoraphobia. Insides
like the desert.