girlhood

hands belonging to friends gently stroking hair & entwining fingers
red lipstick smeared on teeth and skin
blood-stained jeans
scars and scrapes from years of childhood spent outside
ripped leggings and torn tights
white converse long turned beige
wilted flowers forgotten in the window
salty tears drying on parted lips
black mascara running down rosy cheeks
and eyes that have seen too much