Acceptable Losses

In a flurry of perfume and fantasy
where naked girls stare off into nothing
hiding behind masks of what you want to see.
We bare it all yet nothing is exposed
except flesh and muted ecstasy.

I saw tears in the changing room
as we primped and made up names
to give to you our bodies in bloom
and you plucked us right off the stem
like flowers on intimacy's tomb.

Dead eyes follow cash 'round that rail
connecting to your responsive lust.
How would you like to see a little tail?
Well put down those dollars sir
as I give to you, your wanton tale.

A masquerade of pretend chastity
of fleshy dance and grinding hips
we unveiled our mystery
cloaked in the opening of your wallet
to purchase your favorite fantasy.

I was just nineteen back then
and loved to play the part
a pig-tailed dream girl for handymen,
for businessmen, husbands and fathers.
All paid me for flesh so we could pretend.

We don't really want you, truth be told,
and you don't want the real us
but here we are spinning on that pole
exchanging private power for currency
while losing part of our soul.