loan sharks

the first time i poured my heart onto a piece of paper, i made my mother cry.

tears cascaded down her cheeks because my words dug in deep like knives.

i realized that the world around me could vanish into a vapor,

that it could swirl all its color and textures into one beautiful blur.

the first time i received that package i said, 'no, sir,'

'those money bags don't just rest in my purse.'

my body shook in anger and i was prepared to defend,

but when i read the numbers i couldn't help that dreadful curse.

damn all those greedy, hungry loan sharks,

that twenty thousand dollar debt won't make amends.

i'll fight my way through this deep sea water

and you'll find that claws can make marks.