Alien

195.

She pressed the soft alien skull together along a seam

And the seam flushed purple, split

To show another skull with black curls.

And she pulled the translucent halves down,

Revealing a child’s face. She pulled the halves

Down the body, quickly, guiltily

While the child smiled at her,

Let out a giggle and then helped to pull

The rubbery feet off the patent leather

Party shoes. She put up her hand

To hold hands, skipped and giggled

In black velvet and lace

And we went to the party together,

Leaving the shucked husk of the alien

Lying in the hall.

***

And now I need coffee.