underneath the armor there is a hole where my heart should be

hair now the color of garnets in the late afternoon sun, of El Paso sunsets seen through ruby-tinted sunglasses. bangs to hide behind, low and thick.

i am a mystery now, an enigma. untouchable. who is that girl in the tall black boots with the small waist and fiery hair?

but. it's the same old game every time. every time i am fooled.

same face, same thighs, same unwieldy mind, same awkward scars. these things i cannot shed so easily.