Shoeprints in snow with mint-scentednflowers reeling in the wind.nSilver-stone eyes dance with her lips.nnShe’ll call you what you call her.nIce-white frost hair.nWhite rose pebbles on molded carpet.nnIdiot-eyed dolls are companions.nThey make the best hallucinations.nnShe and you are absolute,nthe snow is colder now.nThe ages have caught up to you,ndon’t let her see the breath from your mouth.nShe smiles, “I know the ways around your name.”nIs this child’s play?nYou’re mad as a ghost.nnYou’ll give her just one chance nto sugar coat you--nfrom the paper petals nat your would-be stilettos,nnto the iron gray flood nthat drapes by your nose.n“Alone, alone, alone.”n“I just need to be alone in my bed. “n“I’m too old to keep up with your mess.”nnShe’s just a child, keep telling yourself.n“No hurting, no hurting.”n“My mind is crying out for death.”n“Let me go!”n“I’m going insane!”nn