She comes home to only her mother, and no father.

Being strong is all she ever tried to be for Mom.

She wants things, yet never asks.

Money- a piece of paper with such value, with such power,

creates nothing but destruction in her home.

Day by day, Mom complains of pain, not just in her back,

But of mental stress from not one or two, but three jobs.

This is the life she lives. This is the life she loathes.

Love, enthusiasm, and glow was what she is in other's eyes.

Yet, that is never enough for her.

It began getting bigger, harder, and economically impossible

To attend an education, to appear healthy, to be happy.

Help is what she wants. Gossip is all she gets.

Hurt is all she ever feels- the comments and the looks

She had no money. Everyone knew.

She envied their features, their cars, their clothes.

Embarrassment of only looking and feeling like scrap.

Attending a nationally recognized school filled with wealthy woman.

They never understand. They don't attempt to begin to understand.

Fragile, sensitive, outcast is not who she is, yet it is all she ever feels.

The struggle, the blackouts, the debt of one home,

Of one family that was doing nothing but trying.

Trying to make it through the month,

Trying to make it through the tears.

She loves her mom, she loved her dad.

Weakness is never accepted. Giving up was never a choice.

Daily she fights. daily she conquers.

Hope is all she has left for her unknown future.