to put out the fires
with just a cup of water.

She’s trying
pliers
to pull out the splinters
poking holes
in her side.

She’s trying
to climb a mountain
tied to a string
of floss.

She’s trying
not to drown
but in a riptide
she’s tossed.

She’s trying
to shake the blues
into purples and reds –

She’s lost