Kathryn Lapin

Be

My

Victim

An ode to Candyman (1992)

Kathryn Lapin

i. My Congregation

It is a blessed condition, not to have to be;
To exist in writings, in whispers—
Without these things I am nothing.
And yet they are forgetting me
So, I was obliged to come.

They will say I have shed innocent blood.
Still, I was obliged to come.

ii. Helen

I will show you: the difference between currant and crimson
what to look for in a wounded animal
where to manipulate the jaw
when to use your hands and when to use your mouth
which fingers and teeth to keep clean
how to touch the bruise
how to lick the neck
how to taste what you kill.

iii. Here comes the Hook.

I have sucked your teeth clean
They rattle around in my mouth like hard candy, like rock salt
I pushed them up from the pink of your jaw like pearls
I want to spit them back into your mouth when you kiss me
I want to rip you in half
But I will wait a little while before I wake you


                                                 I want the nape of your neck in my palm
                                                 I want to see your tongue
                                                 Your tongue, the blood on your gums
                                                 I will wait to wake you


You look so sweet like that, so—
I am humming you a lullaby, a lovesong
My mouth is full, pink and white and red
I want you to hear it
You know this one, you do
I want to wake you


                                                I am watching for a sign of agreement
                                                I want you to feel this
                                                I want to hear you say it, sing it with me
                                                Here comes the Hook

iv. sweets to the sweet

this is the punishment the just deserts
i saw him last night in a dream in a dream where
he’s going to slaughter you
say it say say his name
the hook is in my hand i am at am knocking at your door
screami screamin screaming screaming
i saw saw him in the mirror him behind me behind the mirror
something behind his teeth

this is the punishment        the just deserts
I saw him last night      in a dream                 in a dream where

he's going to slaughter you

say it                  say             say his name
the hook is in my hand                       i am at                      am knocking at your door

screami

screamin

screaming

screaming

I saw    I saw him in the mirror       him in the mirror     behind the mirror

something behind his teeth

Kathryn Lapin is a student and writer living in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Canada. Her work can be summoned by chanting her name five times in the mirror. Or you can just find her on Twitter @kathryn_444

Kathryn Lapin

Be

My

Victim

An ode to Candyman (1992)

Kathryn Lapin

i. My Congregation

ii. Helen

iii. Here comes the Hook.

iv. sweets to the sweet

Tip the Poet

Interview with Kathryn Lapin