Spinning Doll Requiem

(la la)

Tiny shoes on the hallway floor

Porcelain smile at the half-closed door Sugar on the tongue,

little crack in the glaze Ribbon on my wrist and a stare

that stays Wind the silver key,

let the small heart spin Painted little saint with the storm tucked

in You can call me sweet when the room goes pale I

can make a grin turn a prayer to a nail Step by

step, I circle where the warm hands end Hold me to your

chest, I will never bend Hush now,

count to three

Lace me up and set me free

When the chandeliers lean low

Everybody starts to know I’m your pretty little ruin in a satin

dress Spin me once,

spin me twice, love the tenderness Kiss the painted cheek,

feel the shiver climb Sweet little darling with a crooked spine Dance

with me around the fire in the parlor light I can make

your mercy sing all night Wind me,

hold me, watch me come alive In my tiny heart,

all your monsters thrive Mama kept the velvet box under lock and

lace Papa heard me giggle from the empty space Tap heels on

the tile with a marionette sway Little gold halo slipping sideways every

day

I learned every hymn with my teeth held bright

I learned how to bloom in the furnace light

If you leave me lonely,

I will learn your name Stitch it in the lining of my

Sunday frame Ah

ah, don’t look away

I was made from velvet,

dust, and clay Ah ah,

hear that little chime

You were mine before you knew my time I’m your pretty little

ruin in a satin dress Spin me once,

spin me twice, love the tenderness Kiss the painted cheek,

feel the shiver climb Sweet little darling with a crooked spine Dance

with me around the fire in the parlor light I can make

your mercy sing all night

Wind me, hold me,

watch me come alive

In my tiny heart,

all your monsters thrive

(la

la)

Fold the dress

and dim

the room

Little heart

still makes its bloom