Naming Rumpelstiltskin

Naming Rumpelstiltskin

“When the dwarf—
returned she called out”
—Anne Sexton
Rumpelstiltskin

The surgeon said—
Is your name by chance
Rumpelstiltskin?

I was—totally flabbergasted
Flummoxed—beyond words!!!
How could he—have guessed???

I dangled—my right foot—
In the etherized air—and sank
Down in despair—up to my waist

I tore myself—in two
Somewhat like—a split broiler
I laid my two sides—across the bed

One part—soft as a woman
One part—cunning as a shark
One part—a cracked lobster

The other part—cleaved
By the blade—of sharp words
My doppelganger’s—Name!!!