Glitter falls to the floor as she slides the sparkling dress
Up her body, pulling the zipper on her new outer layer.
Bitter, eyeing the mirror, she adjusts to see its beauty. They
Cup her face and gush over the tulle, the chiffon,
And the rhinestones threaded around her waist.
Step one, step two: ready to walk.
Hands grasp hands, squealing from excitement. They
Stagger down the stairs in heels that make them
Reach the heights of the boys waiting with
Pink and silver flowers to slide on their wrists.
Each hand's shaking. Fingers slip on pins. They're
Thinking way too much about how to get a flower
On a jacket because the person in it makes their knees
Buckle like seat belts after the last pointed heel leaves the
Lawn. The radio previews what they should hear later, but
Chuckles drown out the music with racing emotions.
They'd never admit that they were nervous, but they are
Nervous to see peers that they have only seen
Stay in uniform the past four years, now covered in
Services that should be labeled pampering.