This poem was inspired by an issue of Rolling Stone magazine.  Brittany Spears was on the cover (linked here).  My parents had a subscription, and this particular issue was laying in the bathroom one day.  I had just finished getting ready for the day, and felt really confident until I turned and saw this cover.  It immediately deflated me!  Just a note: I’m not sure who has plastic boobs or not, so please don’t start leaving comments about particulars like that.  Just take it for what it is, okay?  🙂

PLASTIC PORN QUEEN

Look at me!
Bright blue eyes and shiny blonde hair.
My full lips and white teeth join to form a pretty smile. 
I look good!

But then I turn and see 
that girl on the cover of Rolling Stone.
“A Teen Sensation!” they say.
Bitch.
Half-naked at 17, and there are more like her.
24-inch waists, shapely legs and plastic boobs surround me.
My head spins at the 12 year old with porn queen eyes.
The eyes that stare at me in laughing contempt.
“You’ll never be as pretty as me,” she says.
I want to throw up.

I want to be that beautiful.
I want men to be aroused by the sight of me.
I want to be like all the skinny girls I see.

I was beautiful until she looked at me.
Maybe I’ll just cancel my subscription.

Katie Swisher (née Kermeen)
1999