Deodorant

by Caitlin McKenzie

A Lisa Frank plastic folder sticking to my thighs
    At the middle school Latin ballroom class
Leaving wet footmarks on springed floors
    Couldn’t help leaking shadows of guilt and desire
Palms soaked the beautiful dance teacher’s waist
    As she taught a beginners Paso Doble
Red skirts fanned a steam sauna
    
    Later I sat with Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Avoided looking at Willow for too long
    Sitting in the air-conditioned dark didn’t stop
The sweat stains circling the drain of pretending
    Two reservoirs of longing
For red heads and red skirts and feminine touch
    Falling in love with women
Was always baby powder scented and clinical strength

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Caitlin McKenzie (she/they) is a queer neurodivergant poet and collage artist based out of Barrie, ON. Her work can be seen in publications such as Pink Plastic House Magazine, The Northern Appeal, Aurora Mag, and Acta Victoriana. You can find more of her work at her own tiny Instagram zine @therememberingroom.