you’re
\ \ \ so carefully constructed
flaunting what you
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ think
they want to see
\ \ \ a rare yet
\ \ \ ordinary concoction of
\ exotic and reliable
\ likeable, careful, reserved:
never
known.

but when you look in the mirror
thousands of dead
birds fly the nest,
falling out of your eyes
to rest
forever
\
still.

~Kate Gough, 8/6/17