in deference to consumerist nostrums

In Deference to Consumerist Nostrums

The parasite twists itself in one last, violent spasm, and as

there were strings of words that she remembered in the correct order,

she bends toward the mirror and grimaces at her reflection, fascinated,

some cardboard, some wood and textile, and there were silky screens for

this sensation—feeling pleasure, and simultaneously feeling detached from

galloping, shimmying, the speakers turned up so loud that the singing

ordered the servants’ tongues cut out, so that they could

see them thinking about starting something, or saying

there was probably an argument to be made about the way

the route they took was familiar.

So many extension cords, so many batteries and rosary beads

refused to do their assignments. They failed to

deliver her carloads of appetizing nutrition; they were

the ones who see each other all the time

waving a white flag with much vigor and good cheer.