“Perfect” by Nichole Hollingshead

She sits before the mirror
using paint upon her face
achieving the perfect eyes
and lips for her handsome date.
She spreads out all the magazines
across her wooden desk
picking out the aspects
of the people she likes best.
Hours pass, the clock ticks fast
from its post high on the wall
more color here, a smudge there
perfection is her goal.
When the task is finished
she looks in the mirror agape
and finds herself within a mask
then remembers– she has no date.