Artwork: The Silk Trance of an Irresistible Smile by Bill Wolak

Twenty-One Years and Counting
Donna Hooley

One life lived in pants, the other in skirts,
The first covers up the loss and the hurt,
But the knee-length hem reveals to the glance
The scope of the loss they can't see through my pants.

The buckle, the socket, the Barbie flat foot –
My real foot long ashes, a few smears of soot –
I rely on my trusty Citizen Kane,
Can walk fifty steps before merciless pain,
I can preview the seats and things I can clutch,
But can't dance, can't run, can’t carry too much,

Just my cane and my leg –
We stumble around,
While inside I'm still screaming
Without any sound.