Surface Tension

a sweet,brief moment of peace-
flew away on the air-

then self-centered, sitting in swill
mourning misspent tears.
evidence that her faith is too feeble
to gird up one through the years.

yea, she couldn't manage a mere day
of resisting unbidden cares.

her shell she essays to dress,
a lifeless mannequin of pretense:
today she'll try artsy, chic.
a passing glance, a peek,
dupes the sidewalk observer;
they might even desire to be her.

... pause, see beyond silk and Chanel,
behind a smooth mask seethes her hell.