A Tropical Rum in Winter
Christine Surka

Maybe flush-faced darlings,
Like you never knew, will tumble
From the rubber staircases. When
I was a pretty little girl,
My clothing was delicate, but
Armored like pinks and yellows,
And the way they meld together.
They go so nice, but untouchable
Petals, crystal and golden.
I like to live a world
Like my own marble globe, cut off
From human wires. I like virginal arms,
Angled jaws and misshaped
Noses, but never touched. Will
You take my shivering isolates and
Make them your own?
Will you strip them from me?