jadyn kavanagh’s Reviews > Make Believe: Poems for Hoping Again > Status Update

Body didn’t feel good enough for Brain anymore, but Body didn’t have anyone else but Brain. They both stuck around but stopped trusting each other, and eventually they grew apart.

Time passed, and they grew up. Brain changed. Body changed too. When Body asked to eat breakfast with Brain like they used to, Brain got mad. Brain was never happy with Body, even when Body tried to do everything Brain asked. When they looked in the mirror, they saw different things.

Once upon a time, Brain met Body. Brain taught Body how to run and play. Body helped Brain play with toys. Brain reminded Body to eat breakfast. Body took Brain anywhere Brain wanted to go. They were best friends.

Sometimes in the moments before they die, chameleons erupt with color. Blues, greens, reds, the bright yellow of the sun. Everything all at once. Maybe when my life flashes before my eyes at the end of all this, I’ll see every shade of woman I ever was. Maybe on the other side waits my nature before nurture. Some iridescent, steady thing.

I don’t know how to stop turning myself into the shade of woman that matches the room. I’m shy if you’re funny. I’m funny if you’re shy. My voice flies high if I want you to think I’m sweet, and low if I want you to think I’m smart. I’m like a snake that drags all my old skins behind me, in case someone thinks one of them suits me better.