Shikha Malaviya
Smoke & Mirrors

We never wore chemicals you know
a tarnished voice whispers
through the brass-lined mirror
beauty came from smoke
literally
You lit an almond
and some camphor
then caught its smoke
in an inverted steel bowl
before bending your pinky
into a crooked hook
to line the almond edges
of your own eyes

Now we have pencils and brushes
to feel like artists,
the almonds are dipped in honey
before going straight to our hips,
and the smoke?
It rolls through our tongue
then out our nostrils
in flagrant protest
of you
that has 'come a long way baby!'

Copyright © 1999
Shikha Malaviya All Rights Reserved 

Also by Shikha Malaviya:

Lemonade 

Contoured Tongue