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Death to the Nice Girl

by Alison McKenzie

I can be accommodating;
Like a shore existing solely
For the ocean
To roll on over me;
Like a thirsty, open canvas,
Waiting for you
To paint me your favorite colors.

I can be a little caretakerish.
Need a hand?
Get a cold,
Say you need me,
Just be hungry.
Then watch my heroics.

Ridicule me in class
While I’m sitting at your table
And everyone knows who
The snickering is about -
I may blush,
But I won’t rock any boats.

If you’re married,
Ask me to coffee,
Shed a tear or two
To mark the amazement
Of being in my presence -
I’ll lean in for the kiss
Sell my soul for a stroke.
I’ll only vomit a little
In my mouth –
Later, on my way home.

If you’re an ex-husband
Who needs a ride to court
For your third DUI in a year,
Just ask me in your needy voice,
You know the one,
And I’ll make my already full life
Crazier
Because I can’t say no to you.

If you’re an ex-fiancé’,
Come on over!
I’ll give you an orgasm
Without even a backrub
In return!

Well, that’s what yesterday was like.

Today,
There is Durga,
A Goddess
With three gorgeous eyes
And eight arms -
Endowed with
The power and weaponry
Of the finest entities in existence
And I say, “Bring it.”

Today is
“Death to the Nice Girl” Day.
There will be no ocean big enough
To swallow me today.
I have my own brilliance
To fill my canvas.
My car will not drive you to court.
I will not wear your watch.
Today,
I will call you out
If your whorishly plumped, glossed lips
Twitch in my direction.

As for orgasms,
Go fuck yourself.

04/06/2009

Author's Note: Probably needs some tweaking, but it had to get out.

Posted on 04/06/2009
Copyright © 2024 Alison McKenzie

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Joan Serratelli on 04/06/09 at 04:23 PM

No tweaking necessary! You said it all. Loved the las 2 lines- they made me crack up!

Posted by A. Paige White on 04/06/09 at 04:25 PM

WOW, Ali. It sure has a therapeutic feel to it.

Posted by Charlie Morgan on 04/06/09 at 05:07 PM

...hey girl! now that's the girl/woman i WANNA meet. ya hear me? gal. hurt me but don't hate me. like paige says, verrrry therapeutic.

Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/06/09 at 06:05 PM

There's definitely an idea throughout this that you're looking to say goodbye to some of these images and concepts for good. Really sharp, smoothly written.

Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 04/07/09 at 08:07 PM

Suffering from the codependent seed myself I can see myself in your lines and I remember what it feels like when after those shaky steps you learn to stand an roar and say it's my turn to take care of me...wow what wordage and killer turn in this, like a true emotional/mental makeover and I say Yes Ali, it is about you now. smh

Posted by Laurie Blum on 04/08/09 at 12:54 PM

I love the lines: Like a thirsty, open canvas, Waiting for you To paint me your favorite colors. LOVE IT!!

Posted by Maude Curtis on 04/08/09 at 02:23 PM

BRAVO. now that's how to say "I've had enough"

Posted by Kris Mara on 04/08/09 at 04:55 PM

powerful thoughts throughout -- fantastic ending!

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/08/09 at 11:51 PM

Rocks! Nothing more need be said.

Posted by Ken Harnisch on 04/09/09 at 02:27 AM

LOL...a kick-butt poem with the best closing lines I've read here in eons!

Posted by Meghan Helmich on 04/09/09 at 05:34 PM

;)

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/09/09 at 09:59 PM

Bitingly powerful in its sarcasm. Love the gradual build up to those last two lines, that aptly sum up the whole poem; superbly crafted Alison.

Posted by Bradd Howard on 04/12/09 at 03:43 AM

oh the wit! the fantastic bite of this is wonderful. and empowering... I might need to follow your example. good read.

Posted by David Garner on 04/14/09 at 12:27 AM

what an amazing beginning to this poem. just beautiful.

Posted by Allison Smith on 09/30/09 at 08:33 PM

Favourite!

Posted by Mo Couts on 07/02/11 at 04:01 PM

Fantastically sassy and expressive. NICE! Last line...my favorite =)!

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