Looking to buy some happiness
maybe a dose of self-respect
she combs her fingers through the racks,
sale or otherwise,
knowing the possibility is there.

If only she could find it.

The one thing to guarantee bliss,
carry her weight
for the rest of the day.

Cold marble floors
industrial with purpose
polished three hours earlier
know the point of her pursuit.

Brushed cottons
loose linens
raw silks
hold comfort.

Here,
in this buffet of hope
she seeks out a smile,
a reflection in the chrome
she will at once recognize.

Intercoms and lost children
mists of new scents
the intoxicating knowledge
that anything is possible.

Smartly altered mirrors convince
and disguise last night’s restless sleep.

Here,
there is a chance of renewal.
Plastic overpowers and creates an armor
offering just a taste of worth.

Lori A. May writes across the genres, road-trips half the year, and drinks copious amounts of coffee. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Midwestern Gothic, and The Writer. Her editorial roles have included working with Kaylie Jones Books (an imprint of Akashic Books), Creative Nonfiction, and other independent presses. She is also the founding editor of Poets’ Quarterly. Lori is a graduate of the Wilkes University MFA program, where she was awarded the Norris Church Mailer Fellowship. She teaches in the University of King’s College creative nonfiction MFA program and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences and residencies across North America. Visit her website at www.LoriAMay.com.

Lori A. May writes across the genres, road-trips half the year, and drinks copious amounts of coffee. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Midwestern Gothic, and The Writer. Her editorial roles have included working with Kaylie Jones Books (an imprint of Akashic Books), Creative Nonfiction, and other independent presses. She is also the founding editor of Poets’ Quarterly. Lori is a graduate of the Wilkes University MFA program, where she was awarded the Norris Church Mailer Fellowship. She teaches in the University of King’s College creative nonfiction MFA program and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences and residencies across North America. Visit her website at www.LoriAMay.com.

His:
sport socks strayed between cargo
pants and work boots

Hers:
spunky silks and satins
settled into hand-knit wools

Together:
t-shirts, tanks tumble,
their cottons fluffed and aired
as they cohabitate in cycles

-Lori A. May
Square Feet (2014)
Accents Publishing

More from Square Feet and Lori A. May:

• “Place Settings”
• “Baggage Claim”
• “I hope readers will see something new in what is commonplace”: An Interview with Lori A. May

Lori A. May writes across the genres, road-trips half the year, and drinks copious amounts of coffee. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Midwestern Gothic, and The Writer. Her editorial roles have included working with Kaylie Jones Books (an imprint of Akashic Books), Creative Nonfiction, and other independent presses. She is also the founding editor of Poets’ Quarterly. Lori is a graduate of the Wilkes University MFA program, where she was awarded the Norris Church Mailer Fellowship. She teaches in the University of King’s College creative nonfiction MFA program and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences and residencies across North America. Visit her website at www.LoriAMay.com.

She likes to play house with paper
plates and fine china; shelved
wedding gifts gather dust
saved for a special occasion—
the celebrations she envisions
but rarely cares to entertain.

Her saucers and cups sit pretty,
symbolic of civilities she imagines
will come around some day when
she meets the right quintet of people
who will appreciate refined qualities

in quantity. She amasses white bone
and silver lines, silks softening
the stack of potential cocktail company
she stores for a future time, place,

her calling. Still a work in progress,
she gathers arrangements on sale,
wagering today’s canned beans

on tomorrow’s fresh caviar. She waits
for the moment when chargers will ignite

a reaction and reflection of something real.

-Lori A. May
Square Feet (2014)
Accents Publishing

More from Square Feet and Lori A. May:

• “Baggage Claim”
• “Late Dinner”
• “I hope readers will see something new in what is commonplace”: An Interview with Lori A. May
• Square Feet by Lori A. May Releases Today!
• Square Feet at the Accents Store

Lori A. May writes across the genres, road-trips half the year, and drinks copious amounts of coffee. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Midwestern Gothic, and The Writer. Her editorial roles have included working with Kaylie Jones Books (an imprint of Akashic Books), Creative Nonfiction, and other independent presses. She is also the founding editor of Poets’ Quarterly. Lori is a graduate of the Wilkes University MFA program, where she was awarded the Norris Church Mailer Fellowship. She teaches in the University of King’s College creative nonfiction MFA program and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences and residencies across North America. Visit her website at www.LoriAMay.com.