Shadow Girl Poem by cheryl davis miller

She stepped out of the shadows of
the dank building she stood near.
A sharp wind knifed her in the back
she trembled from cold and fear.

Another day has come and gone
and a night shift lies ahead.
She feels as tho she’s walking through
'the night of the living dead'.

She paces back and forth within
the confines of her small turf.
A sad and lonely little girl
with no sense of true self worth.

She's wrapping her coat about her
trying to escape the chill.
Knowing well she has a quota
that she must work to fulfill.

For well she’s learned the lesson of
going 'home' if she is short.
She’ll work until the daylight hours
if that is her last resort.

A brown sedan is passing by
the girl gets a bitter glares.
She bites her lip and shrugs if off
as she toss' her long dark hair.

Wishing she had a voice to speak
for once in her own behalf.
Fearful her words would only give
people more reason to laugh.

So I will speak out for her and
all the others such as she,
if you meet someone like her, please
do take this advice from me.

Don’t judge to harsh show mercy for
the life she is 'walking' through.
For friend if circumstances change
it could well be me or you.

c.d.m. 11-19-09