Topless Modeling on New Year’s Eve

Never underestimate the cage

of your body. The stage of skin

in which glitter abrades. This bright

and humble, ravenous hour

that feathers seconds, firsts, with praise.

There’s famine enough for both

of us, if anybody’s counting.

Freedom, Fritos, a psalm for silk.

Never underestimate the age

of exhaustion, the flight of stares

en route to the end. “Off

with their heads,” a Red Queen says

to yet another Diamond. Do you

love what you’ve become? Have you

found someone who can?