Shattered

shattered

no one looks at her
as she walks to school
uniformed, books clutched to her chest
passing cars, pedestrians
see past her
through her
she is unremarkable
she is scenery.

each step to her destination
an effort not to turn and run
sheer force of will
her only glue
to hold together
her plain truth

she has abandoned
the dreams and visions of her peers
settled for indifference,
invisibility, where being plain
casts no shadows
and holds no light

she exists
tolerated
by those who bask and glow
in overflowing graces
a mirror for their fears
of fragility and insignificance.