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 I want to be Martha Stewart

 I would give
 anything—no
 I would give
 —everything—
 to stop being an
 inconvenient woman

 I would
 answer questions simply
 smile bravely
 run my life beautifully
 be charming

 I would be
 the perfect earth mother
 in a push-up bra
 my silvery laugh
 tinkling
 like sterling
 against crystal

 I’d know how
 to drink wine
 just enough
 to relax
 without becoming
 maudlin
 or too honest

 I’d be
 everything
 you ever
 dreamed
 a woman
 could be

 I’d be
 perfect

 at last
 

—Lex Thomas
 

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