Recipe

Liza Rose

passed down through generations of women

1. prime her  

soft skin, slather  

like butter on prime steak.  

2. cover anywhere that shows  

imperfections  

in the meat. the product  

if applied too heavily  

will settle  

in places she shows  

human emotions.  

3. carve out the bones,  

the hollows- cheekbones, jawbone,  

eyelids, bridge of nose— with dark  

lines like sharpie marks saying cut here.  

4. blend  

to soften.  

5. sponge on pink liquid  

blush to feign  

there’s blood beneath.  

6. gold garnish  

on the eyelids, eyeliner  

in both corners and mascara to mimic 

cow or doe eyes.  

7. glaze  

with soft highlighter  

like sweat  

the places sunlight falls most.  

8. draw iron-red  

on her lips, red like the apple  

in a pig’s mouth.  

9. set  

her out.  

10. let her  

be feasted upon.