Lyndsey Aho

Beaver's Pick How to Express Who You Are While Keeping Messenger Bag Adornments at a Minimum

In class,
     you glance over at my beverage of choice
     and casually remark:
"Oh, Rockstar? They sponsor me.
So I get, like, tons. For free. It’s great with whiskey."

(You fucking tart.)

***

Thus I dub thee Rockstar Boi
So fitting—
like your cocktight jeans
and tiny vintage T-shirts,
So thin
thin
thin
(I can see your nipples.)

Rockstar Boi—
     at the bus stop:
miniature girls in oversized sunglasses
greet you with a squeal,
throw their scrawny arms around your neck
avowing that

Last weekend was, like, the MOST. FUN. EVER.

You stand with your hands in your pockets
and pause

endearingly

in conversation,

Feigning that social awkwardness
made so trendy by Wes Anderson.

However, Rockstar Boi, we both know that Bloomfield Hills Jews
aren’t famous for being
     shrinking violets,

And your witty banter
and 1057 facebook friends
out you for the social slut
you are.

But Rockstar Boi—

Keep on listening to The Smiths
     and Radiohead,
and reading Choke and Breakfast of Champions,

Continue folding shirts at Urban Outfitters
as you were this balmy afternoon,

For I have seen your experimental videos

And they are so soft and muted,
yet electric
(like nighttime),

That I can’t hold your checked slip-on Vans
     and brimmed brown chook

Against you.

 
Lyndsey was born and raised in Upper Michigan and is currently attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. E-mail: lyndseya[at]umich.edu

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