Survival

[Ambee]

"I use THEM," she says,
her voice the quiet whisper
of air coming through a vent.
I look at the bruise on her arm,
and see a permanent tattoo
branding the used.
She says it's survival.

Her Christmas stocking this year
is black lace, open to anyone
with a five dollar bill.
Men share their seeds
of desperation, then leave
her for beat-up wives.
She says it's compassion.

Her belly overflows with
such compassion, pushed
to its breaking point.
A month's worth of five dollar bills
leaves her hand
as she buys a dark alley,
and invites a wire hanger
to come inside.
She says it's life.

[twinkling_eyes]

thats soo good...i could be wrong but is it about a prostitute?

[Ambee]

Yes, that's what i was aiming for... I'm glad you enjoyed my poem, and thank you for reading. :)

[Ryan Tiley]

Wow that was amazing! It really was.

I'm new to this forum (never been interested in it before) and I thought I knew what to expect but you've really inspired me!

[JHXMT]

Very affecting - and particularly apt use of the stocking, considering the time of year. I liked the very dark images you used, the fact that this doesn't seem to be a very pleasant world at all (beat-up wives, the dark alley, the bruises on the character's arm etc.)

Excellent work.