Crash Dummy

I am Norm each day I show my face. Arthur

on a good day, Mommie Dearest on the black.

They ask and ask, doctors and psychiatrists,

I nod and play along, tears in my eyes and placating

hands, promises of meetings and serenity.

Home alone, the dread I fear sits across

from me, gnawing on a rotten chicken bone

grinning its grisly grin;  an evil bunny in sheep's

clothing. Making revulsion seem a virtue,

malice a deep kiss. Each tear dipped in

poison beads across my lip.

I smile my broken smile continuing to place

my heart on the chopping block till nothing's left.

This finally stills me, no more bleating, beatings,

or regret. It's easy to forget when nothing's left-

easy to drink each loss and poison arrow

with a hole in your chest.