I know her well
she hung around the most
popular students
in high school and college
trying any new drug that came around
guys could not resist
falling in love with her
Fast forward
Years have passed
she is difficult to recognize
strong imported drugs
dried her skin
aging her from 29 years old to
looking 80, maybe 90
her body is skin on bones
her eye sockets are almost hollow
with lifeless eyes staring out
The friends who are still alive
bring new drugs to try
She cries for a do-over
Her skin feels like thin wax paper
and her bones are weak and brittle
Downtown
at night when I pass her apartment
I see a bulb
hanging from the ceiling
her window is
cracked open with a book
I often hear cries
sounding like an animal
hit by a car
dying on the street
I send prayers upward —
Dear God, she wants to start over
I pray you can help her