When They Call to Tell You Your Son Is Dying

Published in Enizagam.

Go to your vanity
and greet your ghost.

Smooth foundation
onto your ashen face.

Dot concealer on dark
under-eye circles.

You must dust your face
with rice powder,

mark your cheekbones
with bloodroot.

Gloss your lashes with mascara,
separate them with a brush.

Paint your lips
with Afghan red.

Draw fierce blue lines
around your eyes.

If anyone asks
why you’re doing this,

say it’s the last time
you will look this alive.