The girl is a paragon of protocol,
resplendent in her social practice.
Yet, tempered to calm she wraps the truth
and stares beyond foggy interest and lazy glances.
Through yellow-banded glass and green needles
is budding hope of anything other than this.

Her mauve dress mottled with minute green acne
grows pastel arms finished with hard, merry red leaves
that tap tap tap the cages of her off-white pegs
when in doubt.