danger lay ahead of her
but her mind deferred
hanging wind chimes
on his every note
on his every word
his voice an echo
seductive and potent
a drug
she can’t get enough of

girls,
we made it through somehow
each of you
your own story to tell
you bared your soul
gave up control
in order to rebuild

lost in sorrow
no trail to follow
i’m turned around
no fear, just hollow

grass disappearing
under layers of leaves
finding protection
under tree canopies

freedom came to me today
prayers answered beautifully
released from my prison
i no longer abide
your rules don’t fit me
they’re way too tight
and way too mild
”tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”

alone
to wander through thick woods
daylight fades across grey skies
fall dissolving into winter
right before my eyes
dusk and dawn
play hide and seek
with the sun
leaving flakes of frozen tears
depositing atop littered leaves
a snow globe momentarily
proof of life
disappearing too quickly

i said i wouldn’t bother you
but bothering is what i do
ask my ex. he’ll say ‘it’s true!’

how hard it is to just sit tight
my heart and stomach start colliding
no choice left. i’m now resigned

each time your brown eyes meet mine
complete heterochromia beguiling
hypnotizing, spellbinding

with each new dawn
fault lines are drawn
regret turns to art
everyone else has moved on

to lessen the sting
i write and i sing
knickknacks of my trade
jaded and smiling

mercy
come find me
tell me i’m worthy

beauty
don’t leave me
i’m already lonely

creativity
come back to me
show me what i could be

she stays
taken for granted
longing for love
playing her hand
she knows it’s a bluff
she stays
lost in confusion
laying awake
used for amusement
still she stays

a favorite song
a conversation
a warning cry
a radio station
a photo album
cycles through
a favorite meal
what’s old is new