why is it
that even though
her hair never fanned out while she slept
in a golden-brown pool
(like the girls
from the movies)
since she tied it back every night
before she went to bed

and even though
her one act of smalltown rebellion
was wearing lace-edged “Tuesday” knickers
on a Thursday

and even though
her nails were never perfectly manicured
but stubby and torn
(with messy traces of last week’s nail varnish)

and even though
her legs were not smooth and tanned
like the models on the catwalks,
but pale and stubbly
(Monday to Thursday)
with failed smears of fake tan
and orange peel cellulite

tell me –

why is it
that even though
she was far from perfect
you still gave her everything
(when perfection deserved it more)
?