Lit in Progress

At christmastime, when people evaluate their relationships

in terms of foil-covered chocolates and picture frames

trapping smiling unbelievables

As the year slides itself into a pile at the bottom of december

slipping through fingers like flour into a mixing bowl

My skin has begun its laborious etching,

rivulets folding, crinkling at the edges of my face

bringing thoughts of frightening things

a quick varnish flusticates slimily,

shimmering over jasmite lidges,

meting menagerous merenguerie,

with klisforous sassafras klopping.