Oh, Darling, dress your best.

Drowning in lavender chiffon, she glances at me, eyebrows raised – expectantly.

I shake my head, yanking the tiny silver zipper down her porcelain back.

She flinches, dejected.

Throwing her bundles of coral satin, I gaze into her chocolate eyes.

Holding my gaze, she slips the sunset-colored fabric over her hips.

A dull buzzing fills her ears as her head begins to spin.

I press my hand to her back, steadying her.

She rips the cool fabric from her body and tosses it across the room.

The corners of her eyes sparkle.

In one blink, the water droplets slide down her made-up cheeks.

I walk to the closet, remembering that the third time is a charm.

She’s still crying, but her open palm tells me there’s a sliver of hope.

The black jersey is classic.

Stretching and pulling on the springy fabric, she sighs.

Before her arms are through the holes, she’s given up.

She cries, I shake my head.

I grab an old, well-worn dress.

One she’s presented to every event, one she’s always felt comfortable in; her second skin.

She slips into the soft, familiar fabric, without a tug or a push.

With one quick glance over her shoulder, she knows –

The mirror never lies:

Apathy is a dull color to wear; but most days, it’s the only one that suits her.

She waits for the applause…

Nothing.

Just the same familiar silence; dead and comfortably  oppressive.

I'm really not the poetry-writing type. But lately I've been in a sort of funk.

I've realized that my apathetic tendencies are often a cover-up for how I'm actually feeling. I often feign apathy, believing that if I can convince others - and more importantly, myself - that I don't care, I won't get hurt.

I actually wrote this poem over the summer. But I recently found it after making my first New Year's resolution ever: Care more.

A friend recently told me life would hold more meaning if I simply cared more. I believe she was right. However, fighting my dismissive attitude, and default comment of 'whatever,' will definitely be a challenge.

A little late, but just the same, "Happy 2009!"