A girl's life

Once upon a time
a girl lived
but did not breathe
she grew
but did not
flourish
she wed
but did not love
had a baby—
a girl
but was afraid
that she would be forced
to live
not breathe
grow
not flourish
wed
not love
die
without hope
a circle that would never be broken
so she prayed
for change
for life
for hope
for sanity
for herself
and for all those
just like herself