drag your body
into the surface of the mirror
every morning
lace your body with words
alluring to fetter a girl's heart
say you're beautiful like marigolds on their bed
say you're too adamant to let
go of joy
say there's much flood on your body
for it to be named after a desert
say you'll rise like a phoenix
after a conflagration.
don't wait for your neighbour to curate this ritual,
just do it!
for this is how to escape fire.