No 1: BALLAD OF A MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL

PHOTO BY LUCIA AUERBACH

REBECCA KOPELMAN

And you see me in a dream, 

and I am small 

and I am sprawled

and I am making myself big

and I am smoking a cigarette you’ve rolled for me

and my mascara has curdled in the corners of my eyes

and I ask you for a light

and you don’t think I’ve ever been more beautiful. 

But I’m not stupid. I know the carnal angel I am in your mind. 

(She and I are good friends.)

So I smoke down to the filter

And I wipe your spit from my lips

And I get up to leave. 

You wish you could’ve been my first time,

You say,

You wish I were still a virgin for you.