Alana Hayes
Beyond Approach
So, how much do you get to decide
I give now?
Who’s paying for this satisfaction?
Who’s making the profit?
I know it’s not me.
Where is this woman’s benefit?
Let’s get one thing straight
I will not make any adjustments
just to make a sale
I will not sit over the counter,
on a shelf
waiting for you to grab me.
I think I’m going to require a prescription,
so visit your doctor.
I’m going to make sure you have a lot of paperwork.
You better sign all the dotted lines,
go through all the red tape,
and swipe that credit card of yours until it’s dead
if you want to get to me.
In all fairness
if making the sale is all about
a welcoming smile,
I’d rather be beyond approach.
Alana Hayes is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she received a BA in English Literature and another in Women and Gender Studies. Her poetry revolves around themes of Judaism, feminism, and social justice issues. Follow her on Instagram @womanasriot.
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