she planted
her hopes
where another's
dreams
already lay
and watched
as her future
withered
away.

i feel *****
when i pray
for my own sake
like god's wondering
how i got so selfish- didn't
he program me better than to be
on my knees, begging the heavens
for the strength to
put down a
blade?

mama always
said
beauty
is
pain
and there ain't
nothing prettier
than watching
bruises
bloom.