shampoo pouring out
of a plastic bottle
as she squeezes it too hard

spilling into
her already burning eyes

the tears come quickly
all they needed was a
worn-out excuse
to release a salty flavored anger
into a salty flavored world

her bare feet
slip against the
cool smooth surface
of white marble

sinking into the comfort
of the cranberry red stain

hand pressed against
a frosted windowpane
of leftover ice,
burning the soft flesh
of her honey kissed hands

she reaches out to touch
the thin curling red silk
and is greeted by

whispers frosted with
rose thorns
and tipped with evening lullabies

she digs her fingernails
into crème colored skin
and pushes it all away

behind her golden throne of hair
and glossy rose-stained smile
the fear presses into the
soft, vulnerable flesh of her cheek

and trembles in the corners
of her burning shampoo eyes