Rocket to Russia

Alison Stone

I woke up with purple hair and Paul
Beside me, grinning as he tried to
Put a blue stripe on Jenni.
She rolled over, stained
The pillowcase. My contact lenses
Felt like glass, my mouth tasted like I was chewing
On a sock. I had to get to school. We were doing
One of the important wars.

Walking to the subway in the rain I cursed my mom
For lending me her pointy boots. Jenni and I
Discussed Shakespeare and mescaline, and why
Our boyfriends preferred men. On the train
A woman asked if l'd been
Mugged. Krazy Kolor had run down my forehead
And become a wound.