In a small cottage in a deep valley, an old woman lived with her goats and sheep, chickens and dog, a sway-backed horse and one ginger cat.
Each morning, she collected eggs while the dog led the
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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