Beautifully red and pretty

I waste away
like the hours spent
painting a face
twisted from the stench
of death

Rotting alive,
I reach inside
to pull out what hasn’t died
and smear it on my frown-
upside down-
‘cuz they say
You’re pretty when you’re wearing a smile

All the while,
my tongue
has become
necrotic
and I want to spit it out
with words from my mouth
Let the pain pool down my chin-
but I hold it in-
and float to the kitchen table

Position a chair
for myself (who isn’t really there)
I’ll have a bite to eat
to force feed the hollowness
cloaked in a red dress
that shrouds the mess
of flesh and maggots
feasting within a feast (prey upon prey)


Looking beautifully red
and pretty today,
they say

I flash my teeth
and thank them
for their ignorance
as I envy their bliss

so free
and weightless