“victoria”

victoria

     sits across from me

with her hands folded

     she doesn’t need to tell me

something’s wrong

     the pain radiates through

her almond shaped eyes

     and although her skin is flawless

there are scars present underneath 

the surface

she speaks slowly

and in between each new sentence

she sighs, releasing from her body

     enough air to fill up the diner we’re sitting in

ah victoria

     victoria without victories

she informs me that it must be cool 

     to have multiple personalities

because you’d never find yourself alone

     even if you actually were alone

victoria

     she is modest,

yet straight forward

     she is talented

but denies this fact

     and yes she is beautiful

but this she does not see

     be careful with compliments

she doesn’t take kind to them

     she’ll either say you’re full of shit

or you’ve been misinformed

     recent lack of sleep, bags under her eyes

bruises all over her skin

     and scars on her wrists

she says she likes to see herself bleed

     just to see what she’s made of

ah victoria

     victoria lacking victories

scouring the city

     looking for some love

you know,

     the kind that doesn’t

make you plead

you know,

the kind that doesn’t 

make you bleed

i tell her that’s impossible,

she tells me,

“nothing’s impossible”

she’s full of wonder

full of sorrow

ah, victoria

she knows pain

victoria,

you don’t have to remember the face

in order to remember the name

she never disappointed

always kept her promises

that was her way

ah, victoria,

victoria

now just a name

written in stone

©2000 josephine b. ciliento

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