Contortionist

Vanessa’s dress, short golden tulle,
had matched her skin’s light shade.
Her flats were of a crimson hue.
Her hair, of raven made.

Vanessa and young Harmony,
contortionists in action,
A 1900s sideshow sort,
were quite the main attraction.

Men and women gathered ‘round
to watch them bend each way.
Sideshow sisters straight from Siam,
(the advertisements'd say)

Vanessa spread her arms and legs
and moved about her waist.
Men and women closely watched
and deeply wished to taste.

Harmony would balance
on her sister’s single hand,
as Vanessa rose a leg straight up,
crowds tried to understand.

Though they were surely overworked
and further, underpaid,
so folks could view the sisters two
who seemed of ribbons made.

To shove their heads between their legs,
to fold out all apart,
to twist and bend and stretch out wide,
an origami art.

Although, Vanessa’s life did end,
from quite the botched abortion,
she was a fiery, fine desire
within her love, contortion.

But even though her life did end,
and tragically, not well,
she married demon royalty
when ending up in hell.

And sometimes, she would still perform,
her twisting, curving ways,
and see some people from the crowds
she’d known in mortal days.