Based on Sill Lives: Cactus Tea, by Lauren Sandler.

It will take time to prepare

The parts aren’t easy to assemble
if even one is missing
it won’t happen

the defeat will be laid out
on a stainless platter

to be served back to me
at the worst possible moment

No amount of thread and wax
will mend the heart
scarred and shattered—
however neatly contained

There are a couple blades left
expose the wick
and strike a match

(8 August 2016)