over the candle stick 

i'm dipping my fingers 
in candle wax
index to thumb-- the tall 
candles on the dining room table
that we never light because
we don't have a dining room table
just these candles perched
in the middle of a vacant room.
we'll call the room a kitchen 
even though no one is allowed
to eat in there. a fridge
on its side. a candle 
inside the fridge-- flame moving
slowly because of the cold:
amphibian hearted wick.
jack was nimble but not 
so quick. jack came in 
through the window in the kitchen 
because we always leave it open.
he came & tried several times
to jump over the candles
always knocking them over.
i worried about him catching
the whole house on fire
which wouldn't be too much 
of a problem-- i just wouldn't
want to be here when it happens.
jack wasn't the worst guy but 
he was strange. all the boys
i've been with
need to show off like that
while i just need wax-- just 
need a kind of coating 
all over my body 
to numb each touch. 
index to thumb-- thumb to candle.
the candle smells white.
i blow them out
& light them again over & over.
the windows open by themselves 
to let in more jacks.
a breeze dries the wax.
i always wanted 
a wax doll of everyone 
i know so i could melt them
& then remake them again.
jack's face is melting 
from all his jumping. he's sticking
his head in the freezer 
& hoping it will help. his hair
is spiked with gel or maybe
he used the candle wax. 
i show off & i jump the candle
to show him 
that i'm the nimble one--
that i should be 
jumping over him. the kitchen 
has no light-- just this one candle.
he have flickering faces 
as the sun goes down.
bright orange faces.
the fridge door opens & closes
on its own from the faint hunger
that flickers all over.
i ate the candle & the whole room
went dark-- a flame
flickering behind my eyes.
jack-o-lantern me now yes--
there was never another boy here.