Beheading Barbie

Scott Sharpe

Barbie danced

naked

on the edge of the hot tub.

We laughed.

The sun was setting over the block wall.

I popped Barbie's head off.

"Oh my head, my head"

Barbie danced about

and her head floated roughshod

through the waves.

Next an arm was pulled

and another

two limbs like little rafts

floated about

and still Barbie danced.

"Here catch, Barbie," I said

throwing her arms

to her like a lifesaver.

"Oh my arms, my arms," she said

as each arm in turn

hit off her chest

and fell onto the pool deck.

Holding her firm around the waist

I pulled,

popping off one leg

spinning Barbie on one leg

like a ballerina

her screaming,

"Who needs that stinking leg?"

Then, I pulled off her last leg

and she lay lifeless on the pool deck

until I spun her—

break dancing

without a care.

"Why don't you get in the pool Barbie," I asked.

"I can't swim," she said, no arms, no legs."

"You underestimate yourself," I said.

"Watch your step."

With a flick, she was floating

body surfing, riding the wave.

"Oh, blub, blub. Help!"

My daughter, seven,

laughed.

This, might have been

when she learned

dad's are different.