Free
Verse
Taking
back a life
She stood there smiling
Tears in her eyes
Sugarland is wailing in the background
“Why Don’t You Stay”…
the anthem for every “other woman”
Out there that finally
found her boundary,
Level of abuse, or courage
And stood up
Saying no more
lonely weekends,
lies,
empty holidays
a deep shaky breath
and a blanket of peace
envelopes her
Freedom
Is her song now
Hope is her dream
In one quick moment
Closing the door on
Stolen time
On a deadend street
Opened a door
Of resolve
and bright
Possibilities.
Rock
People
Silent
sentinels watching over
Sacred land and healing waters
celebrating Winter’s snow and Spring’s rain
Showy
Desert in bloom
Ex
Communication
He sat there
at the table
wearing his sunglasses
and baseball cap
God she hated seeing
Anyone wearing a cap
In the house, disrespect
Or hiding a bald crown,
Who knew other than him.
He said “ we need to talk”,
His idea. He was drinking again
And the drugs weren’t far away.
She knew the Sunglass ruse
“If you can’t See my eyes
you won’t know what
I’m thinking or feeling.”
He was leaving again.
There is a job in New Mexico,
a big one, a promise of big money.
I’m leaving tomorrow I’ll call ya.
Another woman making his world right.
She knew the routine, leaving for
Work, calling home broke. Whom
Ever he left with had left him.
Send me bus fare, air fare, gas money.
No, she said, Don’t call. I’ve
Nearly paid off the house, the kids are fine.
You need your freedom and so do I.
As he drove away he knew it wasn’t glare
From the sun in his eyes. He wondered why
She said don’t call, don’t come back.
