Butterflies by Ildiko Nova

incested girl

room with pink walls
filled with pink things
pink accessories, clothes, shoes
dolls, toys, stuffed animals
plastic telephones, balloons, books
each item carefully arranged and displayed
a pink shrine
pink bed, bicycle, chairs, table, toy oven
toy washing machine, doll house, doll stroller
crowded against the door

Academic Dialogue

He wants me to listen to
his story, his pain, his ideas
but not to mine
He says, “You are cold”
I open my mouth
yes, a heavenly freezer door
a sudden frosty wind
where no words live
then quickly close it
mindful of my sweet preserves
walk away