Art by Ariel Cruz / Poem by Lori Minutoli
Lipstick smears across her cheek
Her tiny fingers can’t hold steady
Still she paints the required mask
Bold eyes make men and women look
Plump red lips brings them closer
Smooth cheeks makes them touch
Everywhere this is the message
From toddlers to teenagers
Models to mothers they all want this
Perfecting the mask becomes her life’s work
Hiding herself in an image of perfection
Deceiving her identity
Criminalizing her authenticity
This violation of her born characteristics
Not a choice of her own doing
But a deception of her mind
Society corrupted her mind
If Daddy had only validated her worth
If Mommy had taught her she was worthy
If boys weren’t programmed to lust
And girls not encouraged to tease
She would be walking unmasked in her truth
Her smile would defy popular opinions
Her energy would attract sincerity
Her need for acceptance wouldn’t be
Her tiny fingers only wanted to play
Mud pies and butterflies in Daddy’s eyes
Finger paints and silly string with Mom’s applause
Hugs and kisses just for being present
But Daddy was gone long times in a row
So Mommy kept lipstick in her purse
The waiter, the trainer, the doctor too
Mommy’s mask made her happy
Tiny minds just want to play
And see things a different way
Mommy was always happiest
When Daddy was gone away
©️Lori Minutoli 2020
Lori Minutoli 