while you slept
i assembled a team of expert
plastic surgeons

they cut a hole
in the top of your head
slipped you out
of your skin

it was like taking something
out of a balloon
one of them said
like maybe the skeleton of a bird
another added

unsure of what came next
they peeled off their gloves
joined me for coffee
the gloves left round you
like the skins of doves

our options were these:
a Persian carpet
stylish Perry Ellis clothing
spider webs painted to look like
the skin of a black man

one surgeon said wrap you in cloth
send you to the cleaners
lose the receipt

eventually they'd find you a home
get you a job
invite you over for the occasional meal

i finished my coffee
put my cup on the table
surgeons, i said
it has been decided
with your skin on backwards
your eyelids
opened behind you
revealed
the startling white
of the back of your skull

even when you shaved your head
your eyes could make out shapes
only dimly
through the translucent
haze of your scalp

when the police came
only a rippling under the skin
at the back of your neck
betrayed the movements of your jaw

when i saw you
standing at an open window
looking like you were ready to jump
in
i pushed you
unable to catch yourself
you fell
down upon the carpet
the Persian carpet
that was a gift
from me
your loving brother

if i've told you once
i've told you a thousand times
don't ever touch my fingers