I stand up straight, rigid as my spine
May be. Looking down at my feet,
I see the pillows of grass are hiding my
Velvet flats. Too bad. Daddy said they looked nice.

The sun stings my already red
Complexion. It's a beautiful day.
Hannah would
Have enjoyed it. The two of
Us would sat outside with
Margot, eating the snacks
She gives us that Daddy wouldn't ever let us have because they'd make us fat.

When the service begins, an older man
With a face of shadow and bone
Starts talking. His voice sounds like smoke. He talks about the
Splendor of life and being grateful. But
I don't feel like being grateful. So I zone out.

The flowers look pretty.
Carnations and white roses. A funeral
Standard, but still pretty. The carnation used to be used at funerals
To hide the rotting stench.

It doesn't seem long before the talking stops. Swells of
People line up to say goodbye to my sister,
But they let me cut in front. I lean down and kiss her hollow face.
It's expected of me. As I start to whisper a question in her ear, an
Arm wraps around my waist. Too forcefully. "We're leaving," Daddy says.