after Servant
Hope is as tenuous as the tendrils
of human hair, bought on eBay, someone
prepares a plastic skull for holes, tensile,
face down. A single barb needle roots some
a reddish brown about the crown with less
along the sides. Details doll makers match
to one who has died. Above requested
aquamarine German handblown glass eyes, thatch
of eyelashes mothers memorize reprise
a newborn, if all goes well, very same weight,
approximate smell. Baby powder applied
with a makeup brush to vinyl creates
that hormonal rush of maternity.
Hope is a believable plastic baby.
Kristin Garth is the author of seventeen books of poetry including Flutter Southern Gothic Fever Dream, The Meadow and Candy Cigarette Womanchild Noir. She is the Dollhouse Architect of Pink Plastic House a tiny journal and has a weekly sonnet podcast called Kristin Whispers Sonnets. Visit her site Kristingarth.com and talk to her on Twitter @lolaandjolie