Am I Pretty Yet?

Slice loved brown locks too short,
Snap in half the glasses,
Toss out the favored jacket,
Strip away the individuality-
Am I pretty yet?

Cake on eyeliner, mascara,
Coat the lips with gross, sticky scarlet,
Powder the face with glitter and blush,
Close up the throat with strong perfume-
Am I pretty yet?

Replace the backpack with a purse,
Replace the books with magazines, music,
Replace the jeans with a frilly skirt,
Force on a dainty blouse-
Am I pretty yet?

Piece the ears thrice with diamonds,
Strangle the neck with chains, cords,
Tie down the wrists with charm bracelets,
Sketch on every body part with needles-
Am I pretty yet?

Pop pills said to lower weight,
Let anorexia run its course,
Smoke a few joints 'til the eyes turn red,
Replace, straighten, whiten teeth-
Am I pretty yet?

Kill the excessive goofy laughter,
Blank out the robotic mind,
Assassinate all pleasant emotions,
Murder the beaming, happy smile-
Am I pretty yet?

Dress me in a formal gown,
Lay me on the cushion,
Weep over my bony figure, gaunt face,
And a permanently depressed expression,
Tear up at the thought of the self-induced slumber,
Self-induced simply because
I wasn't pretty yet.