KYLE SLEDGE

Pink-locked pixie goddess
Sprinkling magic dust on stars
Hands covered in ink and scars
No, she’s not a novice

An expert in old hurt
Hidden behind those blue eyes
Her past lives and bright hair dyes
Tell a story of birth

A crowning achievement
Sent shockwaves through skull and spine
Heavenly bodies aligned
She struck gold with talent

Agents rushed her westward
The silver screen awaited
Her debut celebrated
Schlocky sci-fi pictures

Cinema to boob tube
The work remained consistent
Behind-the-scenes assistance
She bled, blossomed, and bloomed

Foundations, primers, stains
Powders, concealers, and creams,
Her kit even stashed some weed
Easing each long day’s pains

A cancer plagued the bones
Marrow mired in myeloma
Chemo trips to Pomona
She killed foul chromosomes

Rail thin in remission
Ready to take on the world
Her oyster bestowed a pearl
Signaling transition

Alive amongst the glitz
Aware of the fantasy
Committing to make-believe
She masks the prosthetics