The Many Uses of Plastic

Plastic does not care what you do.

It does not mind what you think.

Just as malleable as flesh

without all that annoying stink.

Plastic does not ask for purpose;

does not question what it deserves.

Do whatever you want with it:

Plastic is there to serve.

Plastic is always giving;

does not have an ounce of greed.

Can be shelved indefinitely

and is still there when you need.

Plastic requires no dignity

it craves not for respect.

Can be softened, shaped, and recast

to your definition of perfect.

Plastic has no entitlement

so you can feel no debt.

No sense of self-worth inside

to which your actions pose a threat.

Plastic doesn't love you

so you don't *have* to love it back.

None of those messy emotions

under which you or it might crack.

You can't hurt plastic

(At least not in a way that matters).

It does not feel the pain

of being destroyed or shattered.

Please use plastic.

***

Dedicated to J.M., a kindred soul in this respect. Thank you for making me feel less alone.

Addendum after seeing the Barbie® movie

If you believe you are plastic

(and you don’t want to be used)

know you are already human

in the way that matters to you.

What you’ve been told is a lie:

you are not bound to a doll.

It’s just a trick that they play

so they can enjoy your fall.