and you're down
for the count
you are dancing with men
going around and around
and you're scared
and you're sure
that your spine will dissolve
you will fall to the floor
you will take
what you need
and the headaches will come
but at least you can breathe
there's the smoke
fills your lungs
we will wait for the day
we'll rejoice when it comes
on your birthday
you woke up
the snow was on the ground
you opened books and peeked inside
they kissed you on your crown
with pins in your fingers
you held yourself up high
the picture peeled the person
they let themselves divide

you arrive
at the place
it is not what you want
but it is what you chase
so you don't
have to hold
all of the candles
that burn on their own
you will steal
all the smells
that cut through your nose and inside on your cells
when it's time
to escape
you realize you've waited until it's too late
but your birthday
inflated
the bones with which you creak
they stole your shoes and then brought you to
the caverns of their teeth
you pleaded
oh kind sir
please let me say goodbye
your soul ripped from your stomach
you gave an awful cry
a cry

and when I have died
will you use my spine
to swing from tree to tree in search of
places pleasing to the eye?

I said
I'm sorry dear
but you don't listen
no you don't listen
you silly little girl