Interior with bleached coral

Cross-section of an
ornate doll’s house
inside a human heart.

For all the delirium on the wall
this is the brightest I’ve seen her.
She might remonstrate
and shake her head
shrinking behind the throne
but I see
her painted toenails
and I know
her inside-out.

Slim focused lens upon
an angst-gilded chair,
strafed with candy shop paint.

She wouldn’t sit
(too restless)
prefers to stand
in the hope
that she might
be carried away
out of the doll’s house
out of the heart
she’s ready to leave behind
the colours of bleached coral,
the sickly-sweet colours.
Her toenails are painted
and
she’s ready.