she is not real.

put her down, 
   they said. 

she is not real. 

they sought her secrets 
   within her. 

they found her heart. 

they told me much 
   about her heart. 

cut her up, 
   they said. 

she is not real. 

I remembered her joy. 

this is not her heart, 
   I said. 

but they laughed, 
   derisively. 

they learned much
   about her heart.

   gazing on,

with their eyes 
   of flesh.