one
tumbled
out of the womb
convulsing
like a breakdancer

five
posed with
lights & cigarettes,
light

eight
lipstick smeared
giddily on the
backhand

twelve
bought birth control
shared among friends
pills split with a jacknife

sixteen
fascinated by
violet waves
& crystal castles

twenty-one
cancer of the soul
flask in her ribs
she moves
among suitors
like whispers of fame

twenty-two
nosering replaced
polished for the wake
croptop in the casket

I’m strolling along, patrolling the concrete jungle  I hear my steps in rhythm with my heart
The people pass me by as quickly as the minutes.
The quiet just before the storm decides to start

A feeling washes over me, like deja vu
Just as my world begins to spin and shake
My body moves without my permission
as I stumble in this unforgiving earthquake

I let out a wail as the ground gets nearer
My muscles tense, unwilling to act
The world goes dark, the lights go out
Saving me the pain caused by the impact

The tremors run through me like a tuning fork
When it’s struck upon some wood
And when the world comes back in focus
So does the pain and taste of blood.

A river of people flow around me
their feet raining on the floor
A stream of voices dulled by fear
Reflected in the frowns they wore

But none have fallen, none have shook
They felt no movement,tremors unknown
The world was still for everyone
Except me. I am alone

My earthquakes are my own it seems
And so I will remain
An accidental breakdancer
With short circuits in my brain