Birthday Doll: Sugar Surprise by Abi Hennig

I place you in front of the mirror, 

Dollhouse fascia to painted face

In the west wing window, light flickers

Your eyebrow twitches

Just enough

Cherry-coated lips pursed,

You sit, placid, porcelain still

At dawn I wake, crumpled, sheet-shevelled

You remain untainted, 

Satin smooth.

Light twitches

Your eyebrow flickers

You show teeth: just enough

I scream, too soft, too late 

Your bite is cold,

An ice-cream soda fizz.

Light stills, solidifies into

Orange gobstopper moon

We sit, porcelain smooth

We wait.