strip and paint

the seams
are split
and brittle
and won't
lie down again
despite
the paste,
the prodding
the smoothing
of them with
a stiff blade
and roller.
there is
nothing you
can do, and
she looks at
you with
a look of
despair, the
look you get
when there
is nothing
one can do.
but i love
this paper she
says, tears
in her eyes.
i'm sorry i tell
her. the only
thing you can
do at this point
is strip and
paint. some
worlds are
that small.