Karen J. Weyant
Reflections on the Waitress Barbie
The Waitress Barbie doll designed by Robert Best, celebrates the working woman.
—from BarbiePedia
Her pink uniform is too perky,
the buttons against her breasts,
a bit too snug. The white apron
and matching hat are too clean.
There are no stains anywhere, not
a spot of mustard or splatter of ketchup.
No drops of gravy, no spaghetti sauce smears.
Her nose is too cute, her blue eyes
shiny but heavy with mascara
that never runs. Her hair is pulled
back but too many strands are loose,
waving dangerously close to every dish.
Her arched feet slip into heels
no waitress would ever wear.
The coffee pot dangling from her fingers
is clear, with no evidence of grinds.
The only thing that is right is her arms.
Permanently bent at the elbow,
they are perfect for balancing trays
and plates, checkbooks and bills,
double shifts when someone
quits at the very last minute.