Cobble together your ghost

With string and glue and ribbons spun
From a spindle pricked with blood

Carved tusk ivory inlaid bones
Of saint and serpent skulls.

Painted eyes charred in kohl
Aslant and dazed as poppies.

Wrists secured with leather thong
Behind broken rib cage back.

Silver locks of lover’s hair
Disheveled in careless curls.

Clad in yellowed lacy shroud
Fatal flaw gem adorned.

Scramble quick your phantom
And breathe it into life

Shield it with a beating pulse
Offer it up the crumbs of trust

All this just to spare yourself
The vengeance of alone.

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