Pearls & Pins by Silvatiicus Riddle
Christmas time again,
Grandmother watches, glass-eyed.
Seams rip; her smile fades.
Bio
Silvatiicus Riddle (He/They) is a Full-time Werewolf, Part-time Ghost, last seen haunting the bones of an old amusement park on the edge of New York City. His hobbies include baking, sewing, visiting a nice museum, and raising the dead. He would like to know if anyone else has enjoyed vegan rat mince pie with gelatinous hollandaise, or if it's just him? He recently lost an arm when it detached, drifting away on a kite-string, as he gathered lightning during a storm. If anyone finds it, please contact him, he misses it very much. You may find his work here.
Author's note
I am thoroughly repulsed by taxidermy. I see no value in it; all I can think of is speciesism, and the human drive to dominate all other forms of life. Some forms of bad taxidermy made their way through meme culture in the 2010's. I hated it. But, I took that, and wondered: what would it be like to have Grandma around forever? Disturbing, right? Especially if it were poorly done. There she is, Christmastime, our old matriarch! Almost like furniture at this point. But, time has worn on her heavier than any layer of dust; and the stitches beneath her grin, naturally, burst at the most inopportune moment. Her smile gives out and she is suddenly scowling. (shudder) The Stephen King vision of it all. Perfect for Halloween.
