Have you any idea
how long it took
to dismember them
one by one
and remind
the gills
of the sea
under the faucet’s
hot jet
that you say
‘turn off.’
And I reply
that it’s Christmas
and it’s normal
to have a tub
to freeze in.
And you’d better
not look,
you’re not old enough
while my fingers
slide down the back
splitting the breast
and scraping out the innards.
And you shout
that it’s Christmas
and we’re all
in danger
under the jet
of hot water
and you kick at the air
and carry me
gasping
away from the bathroom.