Arsenic Lobster
poetry journal |
Issue Nine Winter 2005 |
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Immortal Jack Jennifer Russel The first week Jack and I decided on forever I made him sign an agreement that after his death I would be given his complete skeleton. And not for its current rate, (you'd be surprised how much complete human skeletons will sell for these days), but so I could keep him around, dress him up—the navy tie with red polka dots dazzled over his starched button up, a wristwatch dangling from his radius, half articulated with the ulna and humerus. Jack wouldn’t want to be bald, so I’ve pre-requested his hair be grafted into a customary toupee, although I admit a fondness for bald men. On Holidays, I’ll celebrate with Jack at the head of the table, pins and wires holding his skull erect, mandible lowered in astonishment at the size of the bird. Beside his empty plate and folded napkin, his ivory digits curled around a water glass— that’s the way he would wish it, I think. I wonder how Jack will look with no gums. His teeth are a little crooked on top, I bet his face will appear more primitive and rugged without all that skin and muscle concealing the real Jack. And with the lack of his nightly snoring, I won’t have to jab my elbow so much, or dream of dropping pennies into the well of his mouth. I've always believed in the bones of life and on outings Jack will wear his finest. If anyone dare laugh at him being pushed in a wheelchair past posies and oak trees, I'll chuck his old socks at them. For our anniversary, we’ll vacation in Hawaii. I’ll bury him in sand, dig little moats between his ribs that drain into the hole of his abdomen. We’ll collect seashells, store them in his cranium. For amusement, I’ll tell children to press an ear to his eye socket. No doubt—our relationship will be better than ever. I’ll prop him in the bamboo chair while I type all afternoon. We’ll spend evenings in the hammock, his femur thrown over my lap, my head snuggling against his clavicle. Below the glow of a mosquito zapper, we’ll cuddle under moon dust, sip from a flask of Vodka, just reminisce. |