~
The Lies You Tell Yourself
It is a secret mostly, the liking girls. You have a friend who keeps your secret, she likes them too, the girls, but you never say the words out loud. When you talk about it with each other you say I’m not gay, it’s just because neither of us have boyfriends. We’re just practicing. You say it’s what best friends do. Best friends stick their hands down each other’s panties and make out in the dark and best friends cry when the other gets a boyfriend and best friends who practice with each other remain virgins because it doesn’t count when you don’t like girls.
~
Madison Frazier
(additional pieces by Madison Frazier in this issue)
On Virginity
Us Girls and Our Bodies
Madison writes poetry and creative nonfiction. Her work explores religion, sexuality, and the body. Her work appears in or is forthcoming in Barrelhouse, The Offing, HAD, and elsewhere. She can be found on twitter @madisonkfrazier