School train afternoon

on the train loud round girls

shout insults at each other

braces on their teeth clanging

it is a blue swaying afternoon

pale winter sun

when they are done with themselves

they turn attention to commuters

look at how she is sitting!

acid wash nice look!

their sharp eyes miss nothing

I come under fire as they note

that behind my sunglasses I am looking at them

what are you staring at?

surprised at how much it stings

when they get home will they kiss

mothers hello

go to their room

put on weekend clothes

eat pizza or burgers for tea

building up layers of protection

diminishing what gets in