The Paper Dolls

Lick the frosting on
the cake
till it cuts.

Like her lips forever
on mine
long enough
to scar with doubts.

As paper dolls/with happy faces/she left behind, stare.

Missing how
she brought color
to the basic black
I thought was permanent a decoration.

It’s over
and it isn't
at the end
when each moment
weighs the next
with fresh regrets.

The paper dolls/with happy faces/she left behind, stare.

Drinking the poison
on the installment
plan.

Done with caprice
minus the analytics
every false move
rehearsed to death.

Way her eyes
said everything in
every language known.

I strangle
the shadows
I walk in the light
each day without her
breathes without life

As paper dolls/with happy faces/she left behind, stare.