"Here's the company laptop back," I said.
"Sorry the job didn't work out. I hear you have a serious boyfriend?" He replied, as he finished firing me, though I had brought in more money for the station than any other salesperson.
"I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on my work lately," I said.
"It's because you're a hot chick," replied the guy who has critiqued my writing for months.
"I feel really lucky that the students respect me," I said.
"It doesn't hurt that you're young and pretty," replied the veteran female teacher I've worked with for two years.
Is it victory or madness
To believe, despite all evidence,
That I'm not that pretty,
And if I was, it wouldn't matter.
That my mind is what shines.
And hard work and ability
Must be their own reward.
That my mind is what shines. ***
Nicely concise
I really like this...a-and...I mean I really do, like this...and...um, not just because you're ah, pretty....or, I mean, for all I know your profile photo is from Google images or something. It isn't, is it? *
*, Emily. I really like the structure of this well-done. well-written autobiographical snippet. And, why anyone who looks at your work can easily see that it Sparkles.
Thanks to each of you.
I was feeling a little silly yesterday when I wrote the above comment, but I guess I was trying to highlight with a touch of irony the point of your poem. Your last two lines are true, depending on what one looks for in the "reward." Unfortunately, all too often it is the superficial glitter that attracts readers to focus on the work itself.
I read some years back in an article on how to attract a literary agent and/or a publisher (who pays) that it's not the steak that sells, it's the sizzle.
Your poem has both. ;)
Enjoyed the piece, Emily. Good flow to the writing.
Nailed it. Congratulations.
Mathew - I could sense the cheek in your first comment and wasn't offended :) It was, in a way, the perfect response. Your second comment is much appreciated, and affirming. Thank you, sir.
Sam and Darryl - Thank you very much!
*
Things are better than they were, but still have a long way to go.*
Thank you Gary and Gary.
I'd actually prefer this to maybe be a bit longer, but enjoyed.