The eyes in the solipsistic mirror, the widening gaze
to brush the lashes, mascara, underlining, narrowing
for the rouge, the lipstick gloss, glimpse of bleached
teeth, comb tweaking a fringe, the unbuttoning, bra
dropped on the next seat, the bared breast, practised
pencil dotting underneath, Stanley knife making an
arced incision, the jelly-like mould pushed into the
cut by her palm, threaded needle, sutures, scissors
to finish; the other breast, the gentle buttoning, deftly
gathered tools, mirror, the copy of Hello! walks out
the opening doors; I look at the floor, the forgotten
knife, want to rush it to her for the cut behind the ear,
the tucked skin, a scarf to hide the bruise, but stare
at the rolling lipstick half risen from its holder,
splash of blood, a tear.