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THE GLASS CASTLE Michael Botur photography by Aroha Jessie Bell

Glass Castle

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poetry by michael botur

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  • THE GLASS CASTLEMichael Botur

    photography by Aroha Jessie Bell

  • Mothersmedskeepherskeletoninherskin.SheaddsCristaltoyour24caratCerealbowlofjewels,s?astheobsidian

  • Hewntobuildthebathroom.Whostoenvyit?Friendsarebanned,BFFscontraband.YouthAresounseemly,immature,unlikean?ques.Kids,

  • Mothersays,Wastetherealestateinmywomb.Whatwevespentonyoucouldveboughtastatue,Newdcor,anewdaughter,orhadyourDadexhumed.

  • AllthecashinAucklandcantaordfriends;Onlyyourexiledtwin(inthegardenWhereherplacentasplanted)understands.

  • Shesfrozeninthewallsofglass,ahardenedAppari?onapingeveryac?on.Sheisyou,butP.O.Wd,unpardoned.

  • Youviewpoten?alfriendsthroughpar??onsEachbarrieranotherreminderthatmotherLooksoutforyou.Watchasmothermunchesmedica?on,

  • SearchesfordirtlikeshesCSI.ChoosesYouyourthreads,insistsonFacebookadds,andgrabsAgossaboutyourdeaddad.Sherejuvenates,renewed.

  • Shesays,(andsipsaglassofvarnish)Theperfectcastleisimpermeable.Next:aBotoxcocktail.Anyblemish

  • Inherimagemustbebanished.Callow,Valiummellow,Motherheelsuptoshop,Foraman,Ormannequin,ofriches,torellthisshallow

  • TrustFundIswimin.AndwhileImin,town:Dontdaregoout.LikeHerculaneum,Pompeiiyoullpetrify,likeyourtwin,die.Hyperven?la?ng

  • Dear?Yourinhalershere.(Eachpusanotherfailure.Andthengernailsyouchewdontllya.)Motherordersthedoortoopenforher.

  • Itboltsbehindheavily,sheleavesYouthecastlekey,he`yinheritance,Theheadtripsofparents.Eachsunbeamsaguillo?ne,

  • Suddenly,yourthroatbloats,nooxygen.Panicaaack:Mothertooktheairwithher,deliberately!Youclawtheoor:MykingdomformyVentolin!

  • Yourtwinfriend,too,suerssympathe?callyInherglassar?ce.Thishouseishomeless.Motherwantedthis;Fatherspensionpurchasedme.

  • Mirrorsmock,stretchingEscheresque.Thepaedophilengeredwallsbulgelikecrystalballs.Yourpulsepaused,lungswithholdingbreath,

  • Youinch,asthroughtheglass,thegardencallsYourname,snakysexoenderoer.NeedleThorns,reachingroots,stabbingshoots,clawed

  • ands?ngingstamens,bulbslikebarbs.EvilPetalrowswithteethaccostya.Glaucomacloudyweepypupils

  • Muetheescaperoute.Yourpinnedposturepreventsexodus.Thecarpetcreeps.BatsOneverycoatrack;banistersarelongbatons.Yourcomposure

  • Snaps:Panicisastraitjacket,noProzac,PanicsamedicinecabinetbareOfDiazepam,Eexor,Fluoxe?ne,

  • Yourlungsareli`splumme?ng.Theclockstares.Thesinkisdroolingjaws.Doorsjustleadtomoredoors.Yourteddybearsarebouldersoffear.

  • Thecrucixcondemns.AsentrywithhornsLurksandhangsupstairs.Inanemptyroomtheironeyeballsyou,grinsahungrysteelyawn

  • Portraitsofunimpressedpatriarchsfrown;Joylessangstyatavists.Thereisanestofcanines.Thecarpetsturnedtoquicksand,down

  • isup,yourlegs:yourhead,hammeringchestguidesyoutotheground,safeland.S?ll:yourfriendneedsahand,ashocktocrackheraquiesse.

  • Aliquefactortoreleaseher.Anarmoiraintfathersarms,Mum;anOaomanisnotaman.Youcutthepursestrings,youreunleashed

  • Youhaulthedoorajar.WeightedwithwealthTheonlyoutisdown.Friendandfather,bothWereturnedtostone,frozencoztheyfearedmothersmouth.

  • WhocouldforeseethebuaerybreathThehandoflandextendedcrossthebay,therefrainingrainThebreezewhichtastesofcream,

  • Yourgratefullungs.YouhopeyourmumwontretreatintoDistrust,becauseyouprayforher,youmust:youpraymothergetshitbyabus.