writing me into your landscape of petticoats and pianofortes,
please be advised, my party manners are unfortunate
I will drink all your wine and double dip. Invite me to tea
if you can forego all your layers of etiquette.
Don’t you see I would fare better in something Elmore Leonard?
Knocking knees with unrepentant Ojibway assassins
chain smoking and dusting off a bottle––an anvil
masquerading as a dame.
Have the boys call me Bossy Betty or Luscious Letty,
and make sure they admire my derriere and damsel hair.
Call me gauche, think me brazen. I won’t take it as character
assassination. Thank you for the affirmation.