---

first
heat me until I'm malleable
dip me into your fire with a glance that
sees far beneath my
soda-lime glass

heat me until I'm just malleable enough
to twist and squeeze
to bend and curl and nearly break
(but never quite break)
into the shape you choose
a silhouette maybe
just the suggestion of curves
or a word of your choice
go ahead
I'll be whatever you tell me to be

coat me in phosphorous
in expectations
in doubt
in whatever you want, hon
you get to choose what color I'll glow
do you want me blushing? or nude?
or salmon (the color of desire)?
soft as cream?
quiet blue?

then, when the powder has settled
breathe life into me with
those lightly-veiled murmurs
neon or argon with
a drop of mercury
a message that
I'll have to try harder to please you

bombard me
weld a cold cathode electrode to
either side of my smile
to keep it from slipping, of course
force your high current through me
I can handle the voltage
as it draws out any impurities and dirt
leftover from the dregs of womanhood

and when you're finished
when you lean back and smile
looking keenly at a job well done,
hang me in your window
so all the other men can see
how bright and sleek and pretty and open I am
go ahead
it's what you made me for
isn't it?

---