The Monmouth Review

The Bluest Eye

Written by

Veronique Manfredini

in

Winner of the Toni Morrison Day Creative Writing Contest 2026

Gilded frame embraced the reflection of rouge spread across her lips. I watched her. For years she covered flaws invisible to the beholder--tore herself to threads to fit. Like twins, we matched long before I realized how painful the feeling of ripped flesh was, how quiet and pervasive this illness struck, how vicious and violent the world can be. "If only I had your blue eyes." If only I had the gap in the thigh. If only my breasts didn't sag. If only... If only I was shown how to value the sparkle in my eye and the grace of my frame. I wouldn't have to stitch myself back together--learn to let my flaws be--as I spread rouge on my lips.

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