Geppetto, I am begging you: stick a spile through my sallow skin

drain the pondwater from my bloated body

scrape the lichen clinging to my ribs.

fill me up with what to say, what to want, how to love

impress upon me your worldly ideals and I will drink them in gratefully.

paint on doll eyes and an easy smile

coat my lips in a thick varnish

wrap my wrists in fishing line and pull me taut.

puppet me through my days as if I were a real girl

the sort with moral fiber and the desire to do

pilot my jerky limbs out of this rut until I can stand on my own. please.