ellie elephant — we’re sorry
the arc left without you
chimps screech, jesters like hyenas
as you slip from the trapeze
smallest woman on earth
how did the blade pierce your keratin skin?
i wipe kohl, black from your eyes
and see everything they did.
apathetic, trade your brain for science
cut down your trunk to increase appeal and consumer rates
you missed the plane, girl
God left you behind.
ellie elephant — stupid girl
you read the criteria, didn’t you?
i rub harder — paper roughs your skin
you bleed white wine
stationary kohl, stubborn girl
you’re on in five
and they’re expecting mammoth! titanic! huge!
not the smallest woman on earth
not you
ellie, no more time for dolling-up
you’ll have to go out as you are
the insect you are.
they’ll fry you beneath a magnifying glass
shrivel you in sunbeams
a dancer if you squint — writhing in agony.