Russian Rails

Her name is Tanya. Barely fourteen.
His name is Dima. He dosn't know how old he is.
They live on the rails.
This is what happens when alcohol and poverty marry.

Tanya and Dima meet at the tracks.
She runs from a stepfather that rapes her repeatedly.
Why? Because of a poor grade...laundry?
He runs from the institution.
The "safe" place... where they put those that have no one.

During the cold Russian winters they sleep on the hot water pipes.
Before this, they were not friends.
Today, Tanya scrambles for food. She stands straight as they pass her.
She's invisible to the American woman...the tourist.

Today Dima holds up a sign: " Ya Hochu Est" (Hungry)
They pass him...throw him a dime.
He buys glue. Sniffs it- and lays on the pipe in a daze.
Dima and Tanya...outcasts....dirty...orphans!

Today, there are hundreds of these children
playing and surviving on the rails of the Leningradski.
Russian orphans have been looked on for decades.
Dima and Tanya do all they can to survive.

Tomorrow, Dima cries out the her name.
Tanya...does not answer. Her tiny fragile body lays stiff.
Was it the glue? The broken heart? The empty tummy?
Or was it the man that offered her a shower...for something in exchange?