Congratulations! Your procedure
to conform to the divine *
proportion of beauty was successful.

Your transmuted visage entitles you to
validation,
praise,
acceptance.

Aftercare.

To maintain your perfect look:
take note of each incision, chart
the length,
the width of the slash,
ripples from each gash.

Inserting a cotton tipped applicator
in the wound at the deepest point,
explore
the depth of the transformation,
probe the periphery to understand
your new reality.
Relive each bladestroke in fragmented
flashback.

Close stray incisions with
clips,
staples,
sutures,
screams,
waking dreams.

Do the edges of the wounds
fit together snugly?
do they roll?
is there a palpable
thickness, the heat
of something budding?

Are you
ecchymosed
erythematous
indurated
edematous
hysterical
surrendered
doomed
damned,
is purulence seeping like tears?

Is there necrosis of your soul,
is it grey and softened,
sloughing into the void?
Reinforce your sanity
if it become
sanguinous or
saturated with despair.

Redundant folds of lax membrane
will sag hammock-like
if you seek redemption.
Tick here □ for (in)corporeal indemnity.

The covenant is invalidated by noncompliance.
Resist the mask and
infection will worsen.
Wounds will worsen.
Life will be –
worsened:
skin bursting like a rotten plum,
each cicatrix ripped to reveal

emptiness.

Use a clinically proven moisturiser
and don’t stint on the SPF50.

* side effects may include insecurity, jealousy, terror of the eternal vortex. In no event shall we be liable for any crawling sensation, mandibles chomping, decay, cracking or any other physical or metaphysical degradation of body or soul, be liable for any damage, loss, injury or any other claim arising from unapproved servicing, modification, or exorcism of the mask and/or indirect, incidental or consequential realisation of the undying madness awaiting those who embrace eternal youth.

Sadie Maskery

 

Sadie Maskery lives in Scotland by the sea with her family and too many cats. She is on Twitter as @saccharinequeen where she describes herself, optimistically, as “functioning adequately”.

© 2021