Wretched Time

when she has no words
she will not let you see
how fragile she can be

her heart pulled
in all different directions
but she can no longer stay
where she is
she can't afford to live
here, what has been her home
for 35 years

like a carpet wrenched
from under her feet
she must not let the fall
break her stride

the clock is ticking
she must figure out what
her future holds
clutched in the palm of her hand
a fragile bouquet

she must relinquish to
the demands society
expects
give into it
a slave to a nation that wants
to eat her alive
and leave her with nothing
to show for it

except
her ability to brighten
someone else's day

could be worse
couldn't it?