Juggling

Oh     her stitched on         sequin smile
when all     those hoops     are spinning –
school run – and lipstick – and getting into work –
and what's for dinner – and hairdresser – and
dentist – and dogfood – and new trainers –
jaunty     on the tightrope     of her life –
and      oh      the crash when her fingers     slip
when she glances     for too long      at a passer-by –
when the train is late     or the traffic queued –
and all    those hoops go      tumbling
rolling away        down streets       and lanes
so that she's chasing         everything
reaching out     just missing       fingers closing
                                    onto empty space.