I saw her through the crowd

waving

A friend, long lost

In black, heart-shaped glasses

A precise little blonde, a Jean Seberg

destined for nightmare

Somewhat feral in flounced skirts

Nipped waist, black and white

like an old newsreel, like propaganda

I used to know

A girl like this, high-heels clipping

disturbing pigeons, slicing air

She came over and put her hand

On my arm

Almost tender

Bent across as though to whisper secrets

Screened eyes, a bloodless mouth – she

Bit

Into my neck

slashing-razor teeth, sharp as malice

smug and savage as a shattered mirror

Doppelganger, a metal-fanged ghoul

gargoyle images reflected in steel

Crowd-bold, sun-defiant

Creature of evil

A restless dybbuk, neck

to knife-edged jaw

with a dupe