Inside Emily’s House

 
a chronic non-smoker,

she collected cigarette holders

–and gun magazines–

silver cigarette holders, bedazzled with

fiery gemstones, precious and semi both

but

favoring

18 wheelers,

(amicable to opal when it was faceted)

and though she didn’t know sign language

she yelled with her hands.

(punctuated with projectile cigarette holders)

pocketing off-keys

&

following the White Rabbit, all

small talk garnered from

yesterday’s headlines.

spewing the only truth she knew

(life used to be hard)

at tomorrow’s high tea

–a madcap affair–

drinking burgundy

by the half-gallon,

(but shunning ‘shine)

stealing centerpieces,

(per vase reasons)

chatting up Carolina exclusively

–monopolizing Baltic and Boardwalk in utter

disregard for property lines–

the crinoline

(she wore too often)

–spotless–

a fabric made of dreams.