Poem by Tatiana Radoslovich, photograph by Suvi Honkanen

I want to live a soft life,

With lush patches of green grass,

Plush blankets that hold me tight,

Velvety fabrics that brush against my skin,

And sweet words spoken gently to me.

A dainty hand to hold my own,

The scent of ripe blueberries,

A new beginning.

I am so happy.

I live a hard life,

Of harsh concrete floors,

And firm beds that make my back ache.

Cheap textiles that scratch against my body,

And harsh scolds spat in my face.

Broken wrists and pushes away,

The stench of smoke and rotten flesh,

An anticipated but disappointing end.

I am so broken.