Amanda breaks Sue,
comes down hard
on her paper-doll cheerfulness,
forces her to confront
the flimsiness of her life
and relationships.
with the ruthless strength
of bitterly acquired wisdom.
Sue covers Lisa,
insists that the disappointment
of a breakup
is merely a return to opportunity,
a concession to change,
reiterates the necessity
of acting before thinking
if anything exhilarating
is to keep her heart in play.
Lisa cuts Amanda,
dooms her grand providence,
with bright eyes
and an antipathy for pessimism,
equates pain with love
but as a palliative
not a precaution.
