Year Two
She sees it in their eyes as they decide
and turn their backs.
Tears trace black tracks
down her stony face.
Sadness sits on her like a second skin.
She pushes it, past vein and blood and bone.
Down
Down
Down
Where no one wants to see.
She gives the mirror a long, hard look.
Crack.
She puts on her mask
and steps into the day.