Kansas State
Touchstone Literary Magazine 2013
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LACED
i.
In contempt of Reason,
her corset, pulled tight with zeal –
A costumed serpent stealing breath.
Her bosom would chafe, she knew
and her narrow waist would ache.
Pain – the price, to earn a cavalier nod.
Nocturnal hands were sure to follow
undoing her arduous efforts.
ii.
The flesh around her orbital bone
shined again – Purple,
what used to be her favorite color.
She stirred.
A bitter almond steam rose from the soup.
It spun, mimicking the crooning vinyl
tracks, to cover her own.
Expectant hands waited.
Those hands.
They would be still soon.
iii.
Smooth airbrushed pages taunt her;
Distorted reflections do the same.
On the menu today: dry toast, one slice.
The numbered ribbon hugs her waist,
no change since yesterday.
Cherished companions come to aide,
one right, one left.
Slender digits secure them tightly
with dainty knots and bows.