The only window

at Hammer Skate

has a gaseous film

 

Sarah stands before it

ignoring ball-bearing bursts

and pounding bass

 

From the dark

of the whirling rink

children scream and laugh

 

but Sarah stays silent

standing petulantly

in a ready pose.

 

Mandy with her mouth

has been shooting

cruel burns all day

 

gathering with each

clever put-down

more cohorts

 

to deepen the

cacophony of

pointed laughter

 

Sarah winces

from the window at

each remark's landing

 

Slowly, she begins

unpinching her toes

from her skates

 

to run on land-feet

to the payphone

and her mother.