nails polished

nails polished

1.

he painted

his fingernails

blue

so everyone

would know his

sadness

hoping his blue

heart and mind

might drain

to the tips

of each finger

dripping free

leaving him

all alone and

colorless

2.

she was tired

of beautiful

of being beautiful

the weight of men’s eyes

the double looks

the whispers of women

leaning close

so she denied herself

makeup

kept her hair cut short

her nails cut close

only clear polish

then she saw

his blue nails

and his eyes drift away

3.

she found

the smallest speck

of blue polish

pulling his hand

to her lips

to kiss

holding hands

was never enough

since he pulled

her hand up

to his face

her nails maroon

and sighed

you’re beautiful

looking into her

polished nails