tonight she used a face scrub
a carefully measured amount of that fancy moisturiser
a routine so self-conscious that it yells ‘minamalism!’ quietly from beneath every
lush pot lid
not a step out of place.
for her next trick-
a carefully selected line-up of mug, teabag, honey, honey
if you listen carefully, you can hear the worry
the sound of fingernail chipping under tooth
under the whistling of the kettle.
scene cuts to hands on skin
lotion on legs (shaved),
her hands do not shake because they are not supposed to here
not while the music plays the background music for the climax
and the candle burns
in just the right light
(soft, warm, brightness low, instagram filter ‘slumber’)
this is what self-care looks like.
