A girl teeters on broken ground.

Barely balanced on an unstable ankle.

She’s weighted by a mountainous middle, an A-line dress too much for her delicate bones.

A downcast face hangs from an awkward neck.

Her hair rises like a panicked horse’s head.

Her arms are outstretched like a bird attempting flight.

Yet a tiny butterfly perches on its back like wings.

And palms press together in prayer within the flow of orange fabric below.

From folded fans to gossamer gauze, cloth surrounds her.

Transparent light uplifts her.

She moves forward.