I stole the words from her throat
the ideas of a
far more brilliant
far more innocent
far more gentle                  
        
mind -- the shattered memory.
The polite inquiry of someone with
a recollection of broken glass,
gathering the shards in hope
of recalling that
passing
        
brilliance--something she's told to be;
smart
smart nice smart nerdy smart gentle smart
violently capable smart
tearing at the seams smart
not knowing who she is besides

smart--whip shot fast
got through high school but
but what now, she just
justifies jammed memories
with things she used to do.