dying is not enough: no one came and saw our shows and they mostly weren't worth performing

I could no longer tell the difference between carving or reassembly or which parts still held pieces that would stick

or if the knife I used over the years was too dull for even a modest incision

the joy diminished in unison with the efficiency of the blade and the potency of the glue

I dutifully filled and emptied the bowl anyway hoping someone would recognize me

when the pieces would no longer resemble a face