plastic

Plastic is for trash,
Curdled cream and brittle bones.

Shroud for murdered trailer boy.
Shoes on his mama's hard earned feet.

Clinging to hardened flesh like
Ears to a small town secret.

Shameful
His plastic dollhouse dreams

Igniting rage in a clutch of
Cowhide redheads
Good boys from decent families
Brought up right.

Took turns at bat
And one by one
Broke him
Like
Farm road mailbox
Severed and sent spiraling

Cackling and tail lights fading into night.

Quiet
Until they brought him in

Splintered skin and shattered frame
Flimsy
From the fun they had.

Exposed
Identified

Vanishing beneath the sterile
Zip of coroner's plastic.

Mama signs
For his belongings.

Rubber watch
Dime-store rosary

Handed to her tidy in a
Creased-crisp sandwich bag.