Kelsey

Kelsey

Kelsey was a klepto
And couldn’t say no
Taking treasures by the handful
And wondering where to go
Kelsey was a liar
Saying what they want to hear
Twisting the right phrases
And whispering in their ear
Kelsey was a dancer
More graceful on the streets
Turning tricks for cash
To have enough to eat
Kelsey was a smoker
Sucking poison from the tips
Coffee by the pitcher
A smile on her lips
Kelsey was a mother
Her daughter three years old
Lying in a hospital
Her body almost cold
Kelsey was a wreck
Fingers in her hair
Her makeup smearing
When it got too much to bear
Kelsey was a planner
With every penny she earned
Waiting in white rooms
Hearing what the doctors learned
Kelsey was a realist
And back out on the street
Because she made a promise
That she would die to keep
Kelsey was a dreamer
Leaving high school at sixteen
She had always known
She was meant for better things
Kelsey was famous
Though not how she had hoped
Instead it was in bars
Where dirty men would grope
Kelsey was a giver
Had nothing but her name
Selling all she had
To the first person who came
Kelsey was dying
As she touched her daughters face
Because the little girl was cold
And would never leave this place
Kelsey was a kid
Who danced out in the rain
Gun to her head
So she wouldn’t feel the pain
Kelsey was a mess
With things she didn’t say
Lying on the ground
Waiting to fade away
Kelsey was decisive
As she pushed the barrel close
Quickly pulled the trigger
Thinking about what she loved the most.