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Description
the boys gestured and jeered
‘what happened?’
‘what’d you do to your hair?’
‘boys won’t like you now.’

she turned away, smiling all the while
head shaved and pink scarf in place

‘because it’s too hot’
‘I want a fresh start’
‘I never liked my long hair anyways’

but at home she cries
though the tears won’t fall
because it was shave
or watch it fall out

no one comments on the lost weight
or the bags gathering under her eyes
for she hides it with pink clothes and makeup

chemo starts she throws up in school
the teachers send her home, but her parents send her back
normal is a luxury they can’t afford to lose

pink ribbons on cars
the color a badge she earns
blinds her delicate eyes

pink roses on her grave
for when she lost the battle
but never gave up on the war