my blue tail-dragger
sixteen teeth painted white
yellow eyes
fine black brushed wrinkles
front legs akimbo
charging, open-mouthed
whatever they thought you were afraid of
or just looking mean
because that’s how dinosaurs sell toys to little boys
except this one was a girl

BRONTOSAURUS
© 1987
CHINA
on your belly

two hollow pieces
glued up tight
made from the burned bones
of your real self