JEKYLL'S OLDER, UNMARRIED SISTER

RACHEL LEVINE

After Henry's ghastly end, while we were packing
up his house and laboratory for sale, I had
occasion to hide a bottle of Bombay gin in my cloak.
I am determined to take it back to my rooms for
the purpose of experimentation.

Back in my room, I now wait for the servants to
go to sleep and the hour of midnight to strike when
all is quiet on our London street. Eleven, twelve...

Most curious, as I drink off the potion
I have the distinct sensation of a blizzard--
clean, wet snow swirling around my head, big
distinct flakes hitting my cheeks and eyes
from all directions. Now down my throat,
an icy burn, spreading to my extremities;
fingers and toes sputtering like kerosene...

I take a few more draughts and suddenly my jaw
flanges and up, out through my throat
comes a woman who doesn't want to hide;
a woman as wild and pulsing as a kinetoscope!

I feel rather like a fevered snake shedding
my skin as I unbutton my dress, unlace my bodice
and unhook my corset. Perhaps two, three more
draughts from the bottle...

Now I want to run and dance a jig in the moonlit
square, bare of foot and ankle, naked, naked
and bawling as the day I came into this
buttoned-laced-hooked and fettered world!

I want to scale the Himalayas and proclaim
Bombay gin the thing! I want to be a juggernaut
and tell all of the deep-sea beasts and fishes!
I want to ride a deep-sea serpent!
God bless the juniper bush and berry!
I want to lose my chastity in all three rings
of the circus! God bless the juniper bush and berry!

I now see two full moons, two ripe peaches for
the biting, Chinese smiles as I frowze on these pillows
and the room spins, spins like Satan's own carousel--
O Henry, Henry, dear untimely departed brother
What is this you’ve led me to discover?