In a tent,
Two thin mats stretched
Over the rippled sand.
Two little girls chat:
“I earned more money today,”
One says,
Moving her fist in a circular motion
Over her other palm,
Teasingly.
The other promises
She’ll force her small neck
To endure the box of biscuits
For a longer time,
To withstand more hours of work.
She slowly twists her body,
With great difficulty,
To the other side
And cries…
Then she realizes…
That – for comfort – she doesn’t even have arms
To hug herself.
