It takes just one crack in the paint
one imperfection
one leafing corner
to fuel this insatiable urge in her
to peel.

She uses the flaking paint
to be flaky;
ignoring her responsibilities
for just a little while longer
so that she can sit by the wall
to pick
and pick
and pick.

One day she'll have ripped away
all the nice peachy color
and all that'll be left
is that old crimson wallpaper
from the 1970s
that she had tried so desperately
to cover up
when she moved in
all those years ago.

She knows she's only making it worse.