Barbie Perfection In A Shopping Centre

• Jessica Chen, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2008

Rows and rows of shelves and shelves
Cradling the clandestine weapons of the advertisement-universe
Bottles, jars and cartons spilling out from every nook and cranny
With labels that overwhelm and hypnotise the oblivious
Pots of miracle-promising pimple disappearing cream
Tubs filled with butylphenyl methylpropane and trimethylsilylamodimethicone
Skin-burning nail polish remover
Rash-producing, cobalt-coloured eye shadow
Vulgar smelling, lavender-scented, boy-attracting deodorant
Toe-jamming, blister-generating, five-inch-high heels
Even body-slimming underwear
Is it really worth it?