Ready?

She wakes up slowly before she can start to cry
Waiting for some sign that there's life beyond this
Blank wall of white silence
That there's something more out there besides
The mistake sleeping beside her
A pale image stares back from the rain-streaked window
Hollow eyes and sunken features; a testament to failure
A steel-gray sky silently asks if she's ready to die
Extends the invitation for her final taste of freedom
Tired grey eyes quietly answer yes; pleading for a final release

A soft prick on china-white skin
Eyes close as a liquid hero soothes the never-ending screaming
The reflected stars flicker, then wink out.

Silence.

-9/29/02