SHE FORCES HER STEPS THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS
MADNESS WITH A STRANGE AIR ABOUT HER,
TRYING TO STAND ERECT.
TRYING TO SQUARE HER SHOULDERS.
HER WELL- MANICURED NAILS CLUTCH
AN EXPENSIVE PURSE FILLED
WITH EVERYTHING BUT PROMISE
OF HER NEXT MEAL.
HER VACANT DOLL'S EYES SEE
NOTHING BUT THE FLOOR AS
SHE STUMBLES ON THE
EMPTY VASTNESS OF THE FUTURE.
CATCHING HER BREATHE
THE PAIN STOPS HER FROM INHALING.
THE CROWD PARTS AS SHE STRUGGLES, BREATHLESS,
"PLEASE, I NEED MORE AIR.
I CAN'T SWALLOW THE SHAME
WITHOUT MORE AIR!"
ONCE AGAIN SHE TRIES TO RAISE
HER EYES,
AND LIFT HER CHIN,
ENDLESSLY CONTINUING THE BUILDING
OF HER WALLS.
