when she was born
she was loved
and innocent
so with
two kisses
from each parent
she was welcomed
to the world

when she was six
she determined her life
and wanted to be a doctor
so with
two brisk flicks
of her crayon-clamped hand
she wrote down
her ambition

when she was thirteen
she tried to grow up
and wanted to feel accepted
so with
two quick puffs
from a marlboro smoke
she coughed
for the first time

when she was fifteen
she was oppressed
and wanted to feel beautiful
so with
two swift beats to the throat
from a used toothbrush
she lost
those extra pounds

when she was 18
she was hurt
for the last and final time
so with
two quick taps on the wrist
from a silver spear
her truth
faded away