sitting in the living room
on the wooden floor
staring
at
the wall.
alone.
echo-y house,
sleeping cats.
listen to the cars roll by out the window
look at your toes
painted blue.
try not to panic.
run your fingers through your hair
look at the strands
that come off
in your fingers
only three or four this time
not too bad
but how long
will it last
your pretty red hair
that makes you worth something
will it all fall out?

mothers are better at killing children
than bringing them into
this world
she broke me
and left me
a tired little girl.