Stiletto

Here come those long-legged
lean drawn amazons,
illumined by flashbulbs,
expert at promenading,
walking on stilts, well
balanced in stilettos,
each step a masterpiece,
groomed to be ogled, all
underfed & humorless,
empty by design.

Who ever gave you
the keys to this kingdom?
you who are foreign
& so much a stranger?
lord of your harem,
by aristocrats lauded,
well thought of by nobility
who pay you such homage.
How do you maintain this
sweet grand illusion?

w/ smokescreens & mirrors
you parade your phantoms:
the mirrors are the eyes of
the vain & the soulless;
the smoke is the breath of
the Zero, enraptured.
Grasshopper gauze wings,
velvet slipper stocking,
cellophane mannequins,
urchins & nipperkins.

Black coffee suntan,
mocha cream alabaster,
sway swing sidle turn,
flash pop lipstick. Praise
limbs in transparent
garbage spin stride/pose.
Stop: march.

Who appointed you
trendsetter sultan?
Last down the runway
drowned in plaudettes,
enwreathed in flowers
of shameless adoration?

Queer. Dictator.
Madbird. Dowager.
Queen of the old-moneyed,
the fawning folk.
Circus clowns muster,
stand sweet bronze
soldiers w/ fat mouths,
Pout. Kiss. Pivot. Suck.

Cinnamon fire blonde
bitch bitter lemon smile,
hitch-hiker thighbait,
walk slow summer simmer.
Skirt puppet turn stand,
skinnywiggle moptop.
Bushmuff triangle.
Why are you stopping?
Why would I eat here?


1998 (for song lyrics)