Party Girl

image courtesy of www.guggenheim.org

Picasso Head of a Woman, Right Profile

I guess it’s too late
To be the last one to leave 
To never know what it’s like
To have the need
To sneak out early
Rise up in my throat
Like a gag reflex
That I struggle
To suppress

I guess it’s too late

To look out into a sea

Of unfamiliar faces

And not fear drowning

To be buoyed

By the waves

And ride the tide of chatter

Without feeling washed up

And smaller

I guess it’s too late

To fix my face

So it doesn’t flush

So goddamn easily

When they tell me

To loosen up a little

Have a good time

And just try

To smile