Maria opens a blue-white box

of Phillips Instant Flood

which gathers at her toes.

She becomes a conduit

(the room is filled with Epsom Salt)

and slowly oxidizes.

Now tarnish-green

she receives a visitor.

He is a lecherous old fool

who plates her all in bronze

heating her to flesh-warm temperatures

to pass as “fine” in private.

I used to have anxiety

in public places, shrinking

into phone-booth hideouts

to open up my shirt.

 

by Paul Fauteux

 

Paul Fauteux received his MFA from George Mason University, where he was the 2011-2012 Completion Fellow. His recent work has appeared or is forthcoming in Regime, Fat City Review and Sugar Mule, and for the advocacy of other fine poets on The Lit Pub. His first chapbook, “The Best Way to Drink Tea,” is out from Plan B Press. “How to Un-do Things,” a book-length manuscript, was recognized as a semi-finalist in the 11th Annual Slope Editions Book Prize.

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