‍ ‍ –a great great aunt of mine died young
‍ ‍ because her corset was too tight

the Iron Maiden lingers

            each day hour second

we know exactly what she looks like

            German girls rotted in iron cells

today we lie lathered in lotions

            soaked in serums and dyes

some of us slice open breasts

            pull up our necks and eyes

we feel the cage from hundreds of years ago

            but You—so wise the shape

of a body no longer matters, wrinkles

            on a face, marks of honor—

come, old Crone,

            I’ve heard of you

they say we all become you—

When?