I've Given Up

by Padmore Enyonam Agbemabiese

I gave up ironing moons ago
content to glide beneath the creases
I savored the freedom
of wearing my collars up
or downsaying
take me as I am wrinkles and all
and watching their shockturn to envy
when I said“life’s too short”
oh, how I bathed in my imperfect glory
but today I glanced towards the mirror
searching for the shapes I’d abandoned
and found myself
wiping the dust off the iron