The news came unexpectedly
On a scrap of paper handed to her at the end of the day
She didn't even read it
Until she was well outside and on her way
They cut her to the core
Those four words she never thought she'd hear
But the city didn't stop
A thousand people
Jostling by her as she crumpled against the stone wall
Down to the concrete below
They stepped around her
Never knowing
She was a woman changed
Never seeing
Tears running rivers down her cheeks
Nothing stopped
But her.
