Tamra signed every letter with an exclamation mark
convinced her sense of humor was only slightly dark
And besides, the end seemed fitting for such a midsummer night
(She was a five foot four version of a great white shark)
She thought of her friendships like an amusement park
Neon, noisy, and nocturnal—so soothingly stark
Everyone soon discovered she was worse than a blight
that her heart was as sensitive as an electric arc
Until one day she gave her final, caustic remark
Not planning the trip she was about to embark
Because at first, it only stung like an insect bite
When the man who might have loved her shot her on a lark.
by Christy Noel
3/18/04