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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.