Page 151 of The Black Flamingo

---

black, pink, red, silver, and gold

I’ve been trying to apply

to my face, and now I’m a mess.

When Mzz B arrives, I explain,

“I’m not ready. I can’t do this.”

Mzz B slides

my makeup and wipes

to one side of my desk,

and perches on the space

they have cleared.

“Your lip sync is great,

your choreography is good,

and your poetry is wonderful!

Makeup isn’t what makes your act.

Your passion and story are what

the audience really wants to see.

Believe me, honey, you are ready.

Look, I’ll do your makeup myself,

if I have to.

Actually,

I won’t have time for that.

But one of the others will.

We’re a family.

We’ve got your back.”

They get up to leave.

“Before you go,” I say, nervously,

“I want to add something to my act.”

I go over to my bed and open my laptop.

“A PowerPoint presentation?” scoffs Mzz B.

“Kind of. It’s some people I’ve found

---