Small fat men with dolls
K. Ryan, 2007

They are babushka dolls
One leads to one, leads to another
Huge to barely-there, folding slimmer—smaller
One by one.
Qualifications bright and painted on, by degrees
(In degrees and with degrees.)
First is hard, the outer shell. He ‘clicks’ and twists—opens up
So I will meet the smaller, softer Second
Whose practiced smile falters as I fall
Into him, in the place meant for easier, simpler sorts.
The poor thing despairs and pulls off his head
And I slip down to Third.
By degrees, with degrees.

One leads to one, leads to another
until the space is too small
for my different, difficult shape.