antonio
twenty-four
ever
in a half open
casket
wax mannequin hands
show preservation
is still
unnatural
imperfect
a mouth sewn
Shut
eyes closed

the rosary beads seem
tacky
some dated superstition
that can’t help him
now,
never could,
but the stuffed
elephant in scrubs
is a nice touch
and
the temporary
tattoo of a purple duck
with a halo
on his right forearm
i focused on
long enough to notice
its fading / imperfections
cracking on the
edges
the halo no longer
whole
but still
noticeable