she talked
and talked
and talked
all she ever did was talk
about people
about places
about things
she talked to disguise the pain
and the loneliness she really felt
she talked
so people wouldn't have a chance
to ask her how she was doing
she talked as a distraction
she talked as a cover up
she talked as a shield
she hid herself from words
by firing words back
she seemed carefree and unafraid
she told jokes and laughed
her voice could be heard
throughout hallways and classrooms
throughout stores and restaurants
even outside, she spoke
they thought she was tough and lively
but she was the exact opposite
because when she got home
and she was alone
she stopped talking
and started crying
