waiting

The wind blew her tears sideways on her face drawing lines through the dirt and sweat that already smeared her cheeks. She sat, barefoot on the cold, steel underbelly of the bridge holding onto the rail that jutted out at an odd angle, dangling her feet below. She waited as the police with their sirens arrived and began to close off traffic from each side of the bridge. Waited still as a negotiator came near and made small talk, that fell on unhearing ears. She waited until she could wait no more, the wind lifted her hair and cooled her skin, as she looked down and let go. She was falling in what seemed like slow motion, head over heal until she was swallowed by the water below and the waiting became someone else's burden.