18
I am thirteen and a half years old
Preeti Vangani
the only friends that don't stop talking to me
are the pimples on my face
no other cousin must use Eskinol Pimple Fight
from Dubai, which burns the skin; mummy swears
that acne will go if I stop thinking
no boy talks to me in coaching class
I have all the answers and I'm OK
with them copying from my answer sheet
why can’t I transform into grandma’s age instantly?
Amma has clear skin, a husband,
no cousins lock doors on her
what they do without me
I feel behind closed doors,
the keyhole is on my side.
they criticize that I talk too loudly
I am not sure my banging voice
reaches them at all