Substitutes

Surely something must have gone

Wrong,

things don't break without a cause.
Not that it's such a big deal this time.
Mother said I could always get a new
one, definitely better than the last.
On a weekend, get all dolled-up
to the shiny mall and stroll free until
one of them strikes your eyes.
There will be many arranged in
a row, giving you plenty of options.

Choose

among different styles which come in
every color, shape, and not to mention,
size. Try them all on and be sure to get
one that perfectly fits. As if it were
that simple to replace. I tried to mend
it with thicker thread, sewing the torn
lining but each stitch just made it

Worse.

My sister said some things never get
better, and so it's best to leave them
that way. In between the choosing and
longing, there was no resolve but to

Stop.



For Kristina

(revised from 2007)