FAVORITE POEM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

Make Up
 - by Nikki Giovanni

we make up our faces
for lots of reasons
to go to the movies
or some junior prom
to see ice hockey
or watch the Dodgers come home again
defeated


going to the grocery store
only requires lipstick
while a bridge game
can mean a quick trip
to the hairdresser for a touch up


i clean my makeup
before going to bed
alone
and if my mood is foul
i spray the sheets
with Ultra Ban


most faces are made up
before the public is faced
whether male female or child
it's always so appropriate
doncha know
to put a little mascara
around the eyes


we make up fantasies to face life
we need to believe
we are good on the job
or at least in the bed



we make up lies

to impress people

who are making up lies

to impress us

and if either took all

the make up off

life would not be

worth living



we make up excuses

to say i'm sorry –that-

forgive me –because-

and after all didn't i tell you

-why-



and i make up with you

because you aren't strong

enough to reach out

to say

come home i need you