1.

So now, we collect nine-year-olds

to examine them, study them, liquify them and see if they still hold up

Stretch them limb to limb and memorize the angles

the way light catches on thin skin

their eyes

Bend them over, turn them round, cut off their hair and sew it back on

Will. She. Hold.

hang them in the sunshine

lay them on a beach

in the back of a car

put them on a couch and turn on a movie (see what they will eat)

In the snow

On the road

Cross-legged on a sidewalk.