china doll syndrome

i.

i am a mermaid's teardrop, trapped
inside a seashell screaming
an acoustic lullaby

the sound of ribs breaking

ii.

i am a manufactured sunrise,
floating like ice cubes inside
a shot glass of tequila
kool-aid punch

the riddle of dawn's heartbeat

iii.

i am quicksand,
spinning inside a cyclone
of wishing well rainbows
stuck on the button moon

the friction of crumpled love letters

iv.

i am a puzzle- an airborne virus,
tucked inside a scarecrow's
shirt pocket

the syndrome of a china doll's strangled smile

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