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