Fueling For the Day on the Corner

Dean Traylor is a freelance writer and teacher who writes about various subjects, including education and creative writing.

1.

She needs the fuel

to keep her going

through a day of

walking, pacing

and waiting.

2.

She rolls up her sleeve,

skipping breakfast

for some fast relief.

And there, you can see

on her pale, thin arm

a chance to play

connect-the-dots

3.

But this isn't

a child's game

(nor a game at all).

It’s the fuel she needs for life

that flows from the needle

into her crimson stream.

4.

It hits her hard

With an euphoric glee.

She knows it's no good.

But a little

is all she needs…

A little shot here,

maybe a little there.

Whatever makes her forget

about the corner where

she will be

walking, pacing,

and waiting

5.

She throws her supplies

in her little red purse

and puts on her

finest skimpy skirt

to make that

strung-out body

look more appealing,

(Since tricks don’t come easy

On that mean and rotten street)

6.

Then, she puts on some

makeup to spare

her from

death's own touch

that continuously robs her

of her fleeting beauty.

7.

Out the door she goes,

looking for a little

more money

on a corner

where she'll be

walking, pacing

and waiting.

8.

But that fuel is on her addled mind

And it’s the fuel that makes her

live through another day

on the dirty street corner

where she she’ll always be

walking, pacing

and waiting

9.

That fuel always makes

it better,

always makes

her wanting more…

just a little more here,

just a little more there…

10.

And more until

it's all she lives for.

© 2018 Dean Traylor