Olin, Ashley

English

SUNY Geneseo KnightScholar (State University of New York)

Gandy Dancer ArchivesVolume 3 | Issue 1 Article 1312-1-2014If Miley Cyrus Were a Country // Un-ObjectedAshley OlinSUNY GeneseoFollow this and additional works at: https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/gandy-dancerPart of the Poetry CommonsThis Poetry is brought to you for free and open access by KnightScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gandy Dancer Archives by an authorizededitor of KnightScholar. For more information, please contact KnightScholar@geneseo.edu.Recommended CitationOlin, Ashley (2014) "If Miley Cyrus Were a Country // Un-Objected," Gandy Dancer Archives: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1 , Article 13.Available at: https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/gandy-dancer/vol3/iss1/138ASHLEY OLIN If Miley Cyrus  Were a CountryIf Miley’s viewers were a country, they would be the fifth largest population  in the world—just ahead of Brazil.–Daily DispatchShe licks me clean after I rowboather lime green fishnet arteries—still hoarse& sliming from the trekunder a tattooed tributary: reads lovenever dies. She’s a series of detailed lists—I forefinger how many while performingacupuncture on the shellacked skinbeneath her breasts, oftenforgotten—. A giant matrixof hiding places: take refugein the crevices of her hip-bones, swampsof her cheeks for you will be unfound; if her mouth floods I tryto pinch her so she swallows. Her earrings9are park swings, doubleas captain chairs when we travel. Ithink she lovesme—sees everythingas overstretched dreamcatchers, coverswhat she doesn’t likewith post-its. We are imperfect; Ipatchwork her when she tearsusing dampened skin fragmentsfrom her lower lip insides.We are an island—I, her onlyinhabitant—. Her fingernails:straws—thankfully I knowshe will suckle me back in ifshe sees I’m sliding out.10ASHLEY OLIN Un-ObjectedYou are only allowed to chart your pressurized melancholyfor three episodes of Netflix at a time. You might bealone: stop being harassed by your cuticles. Build upan immunity to dandelions—parasitic, derogatory—pull themfrom between patio bricks and if you so choose notto press them in vodka, throw them in the sea. Collectpieces of seashells in prescription bottles. Give everything away—one-egg frying pan (a few eggs), cat slippers for sick days,your eyelashes—. These are the things you may keep.Barbecue on the porch: allow your friend and her husband’s toddlerto cling to the side of your sundress. If in eleven years heand his friends find you attractive (watch your legsin Jimmy Choo)—don’t let your face turn. Singalone in your kitchen once everyone leaves, soak delicates in the sink.You wake: raindrops kamikaze into Monday. You will hatethe way you sign your name on the rent check—will want to scatteryour ex’s floors with crescent finger nail clippings and watch him walkbarefoot. People will tell you to breathe and just smilewhich will make you more furious than mold—if they ask youyour plans to settle down, say you have none: regardless11of how your knees might bucklewhen you see him in a suit. Not aceiling—he is the sheetrock cut out of itto make space for a chandelier. 

If Miley Cyrus Were a Country // Un-Objected

https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1085&amp;context=gandy-dancer

If Miley Cyrus Were a Country // Un-Objected

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