“Strings” by Lauren Everett

Clicking and clattering

the marionette plays

its frozen smile.

a taunt or a jeer

joints crackling

painted eyes painted thoughts

scurry with a hiss,

eluding

or

is it

seeing without being seen?

a prisoned soul, a planned dance

taking the chance

to sing the song

of

crooked taps

timed snaps

a hummed tune

until the dust falls.

jade loses jade

a cocoon of the forgotten days

along with the dusty smell of old cloves

all tied up in string