The sun struck my eyes as I rubbed the sleep off them. I stretched and yawned and felt the air. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood up straight. I couldn't help but smile because deep inside ... [+]
Shantel Hill's poem "Wax Figure" participated in Temple University's 2020 Short Fiction Contest.
Smile!
Why aren't you smiling?
These people came to see you
No flash photography?
Sweetie, they don't care
You're just a wax figure
Listen, here are the rules
One, you do not move
You are made to please
Two, they paid for me for my work
You are an object to look at
Three, get used to it...
I SAID DO NOT MOVE
Why are you crying?
You can't cry
You can't melt, I just made you
Do you want to be a defect?
You already are inside
They are coming so...
Smile!
You are smiling!
These people came to see you
More flash photography?
Sweetie, I'm so proud of you
You're my wax figure