oh so many
losing the right
to stay in this country
and fight the good fight
women who married
who took the new name
we lose the privilege
as if it’s a game
force abandonment
for god knows how long
how would you feel
coming home
and it’s empty
devoid of love
that once filled up
every room
from ceiling to rug

tall, dark
not quite middle-aged
handsome face
so many shades of grey
he trusted you
to keep him safe
instead - betrayal
and he can’t walk away
the trauma trailing
forever it stays

mirror mirror
why so blue?
a lack of talent
someone saw through?

you see yourself
in a different view
where you stand above
everyone around you

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