She is growing tired

But can see the finish line

And beyond it

Another starting line

That is usually enough

To get her up in the mornings

And out of bed

She pretends well

Most of the time

And keeps getting

Better at pretending

Hopeful that someday

Everyone will believe

That she is real

And she will be able to rest

But for now

For today

She’ll get up

And do things

And eat and walk and talk and

Sometimes

Even smile

And hopefully

No one will see 

That in the background

In the space just behind her eyes

She is counting

And humming

And not paying attention at all