she just stood there,
not moving, not speaking,
merely shifting her weight with the wind
slowly and thoughtfully
bouncing the small red rubber ball on the pavement
mouthing the numbers
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
then back to one again

they looked at her in confusion
her eyes never strayed
her movements were miniscule
1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5.

the boy ran by and grabbed at her ball
she caught it, and started again
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

the small ball soundlessly counted out its rhythm
the sun shifted and the shadows grew long
a light mist began to blow
and still the ball sang its silent song
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

her eyes remained fixated on the finite point of color
lost in the soundless screams of her own insanity