she wanted to look
perfect
instead, a wasp
transformed her lip
into a plump pink cushion
the nurse’s hands
were quick
her eyes as sugary and hard
as jelly beans
her mother wept
her father handed her
a dollar bill
went back to playing rummy
with his cronies
there was a buzzing
in her chest
a wasp of words
Eva Eliav received her BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Toronto. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in numerous literary journals, both online and in print. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks: Eve (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2019) and One Summer Day (Kelsay Books, 2021). You can find a selection of her prose, poetry, and art at www.evaeliav.com.