I am not from here.
My hair once smelled like the wind.
I sat religiously by pristine rivers
listened to the sermons of rustling trees and robins.
My mind blossomed in sunlight.
as only childhood innocence can do.

These days at this strange age of 21
Fear flows through my veins
Pinching nerves like scorpions
My eyes are hollow shells
Quicksanding into dark caves
Sleep doesn't come easily anymore

My jaw clenches guarding my runaway tongue
From the snare of strangers.
Judgement comes despite hiding
Pitiful, sad girl. "Don't she speak?"
I am a deer in headlights.
Inside my voice screams
Snake squeezing my heart
In gasps of Jupiter
Blood poisoned by thoughts
Twinkle and fizz
Faded out
My body nothing more
Than empty shell
Surrounding
Incomplete dreams.

CF
2/14/02