"VegFest" by Isabella J Mansfield
the vegans here categorize
into groups: women with
quirky haircuts, men with beards
and people who don’t seem
to remember how
to brush their hair
they will tell you all about
the eccentric boutique
they own, with the
studio apartment
upstairs and the urban
garden out back
they’re too excited to
discuss essential oils
and their podcast about
how to live off the grid
and they seem to not
understand the irony
they’re SO into juices
right now or drinking vinegars
or coffee made out
of mushrooms and whatever
is better than quinoa
or kale; so last year
they are peaceful
and kind, love everyone
and want to save the earth
and the animals and
cruelty-free everything
but how dare you
run out of jackfruit sliders
before they had a chance
to get one after they stood
in line for ten whole minutes
"Soap Smell" by Isabella J Mansfield
You buy cheap
grocery store lotion
and drug store soap
but it lingers.
God, how it lingers