Little Girl Lost
little girl orange
tripping daisies
for the rocks
chasing the Queen of Hearts
the one
the woman
in the cartoon
where color is primary
and the frame is created by hands
in repeated distraction
little girl orange
tooting her horn
to a grown-up audience
the Queen of Hearts
watching from a distance
having missed the main act
catching the intermission
the finale
in her honor
all this time
little girl orange
tempting young bulls
with games
of all sorts
with a little boy blue
tugging at the line
hoping to catch her eyes
but she sees down a tunnel
the Queen of Hearts
and a dagger
little girl orange
speaking in rhymes
thinking in riddles
tantrum communication
into two cans and a rope
a simple truth
based in childhood play
with sex as a weapon
and pain on her side
this time
little girl orange
stuck in the transition
pills like candy
food like hugs
questions like inquisitions
smoke
the presence of fire
balancing youth and adult
the other side
where the fire burns
little girl orange
upside down
on the merry go round
mirrors and flashing lights
her smile on the up
her pain on the down
mama, can I go again?
she just wants peace tonight
she smiles
and rides again
little girl orange
whistling at the boys
manipulating the girls
loud
and looking to be looked at
running around the playground
lifting skirts
finding trouble
back to chasing herself
sad little girl lost
October 2, 2005