Depression

She was sweet

A brackish mixture

of fine lines, 

supple acne-prone skin, 

hair color that changed

naturally with the seasons

Her eyes were soft enough

to smolder one minute

and dagger sharply the next

Heads were constantly

peering over her shoulder

and declaring

how talented she was,

and she nearly shook

with the exertion

of hiding her satisfied grin

One day,

her medication slipped her mind

and kept slipping for weeks

Sober at last

And she nearly died,

from the weight of it