Mary Surratt. Mary Surratt with clogs, a frown and hands
and hair tied back. Mary Surratt with five filthy children, ages five
to twelve, lined out like my matroshkas—their faces
just as wooden. Death, by hanging,
the shadow-person said. He/She lied (a little).
The ropes were employed, on the children—straight
down the matroshka-like-link—plucked like limes.
The executioners had blank flesh faces, and each with a rope
in hand, circled a child as if it were a crystal
ball at a séance and pulled—their faces
just as wooden.