Yesterday you said you were unloveable
The day when the hair shampoo squeezed easily out of its tube
& I heard the Japanese soprano sing Madame Butterfly
Today, the day after you said you were unloveable
The day when the hair conditioner squeezes uneasily out of its tube
& I read Brendan Kennelly’s poems Tonight You Cry and Portrait
Yesterday, before you said you were unloveable
The day when the permed hair serum squeezed easily out of its tube
& I felt the joy in your voice, as we spoke on the telephone