my town’s mascot is a single
tear / this is a perfect expression /
because it is limited / and not pictured
related to a body / crying is a baroque
embarrassment on an actual face /
roiling troubles the porcelain / making
rust belts / industry is so important
for maintaining correct manners /
bend knee ungrazed / lips lined love
silently / grace is a mall department
store / I have spent the credit signed
to my married name / we have been
counseled not to lick our gifts /
macaroons in the parlor / paint chips
on the tongue / there are no saints
figurined from the martyrs of crinoline
fires / a story of dress vs. viscera /
though ballet is an art to die for / tutu
turned tinder / we have other girls
to burn for us /