she who became me;

and i kneel here
arms wrapped around the body
of a trembling little girl
a rain of tears wetting little cheeks

i can look into her eyes
and see the troubles that plague her
feel the emotions coursing through her
knowing every heartache and misery
experiences that no human being
should have ever been subject to

so much rolled up into one
a pandoras box
packaged prettily inside her soul
just waiting for release

i see the day her parents fought bitterly
when a trusted person touched her inappropriately
the realization of what death meant
and the shadowing thoughts of rejection

i hug the little girl more tightly
absorbing her into myself
every one of her memories
finding itself in my own
i vow to protect her
from the world's harshest reality
because it was she who became me.

already lost;

captured by his gaze
words caught in the throat
what to make of it
she doesn't really know

but it's tempting and reaching
circling all around
like wolves waiting for their meal

tantalizing and breathtaking
sirens on the sea
luring with sweet promises
he knows that he cannot keep

and still she draws nearer and closer
right into his waiting grasp

he will ensnare her
because she has already lost.

sitting by the window;

sitting by the window
fire crackling in the background
glass of cheap red wine in hand
wondering about times gone by

settled in a comfortable routine
boring but sensible
unexciting to the daredevil
safe play at its very best

quiet, quaint existence
personal haven in the bustling world
a place to call her own
no interference at all

sitting, staring, wondering
is there something she's missing?

eternity of peace;

strangers they have never met
but all connected just the same
united by unfortunate circumstances
from a selfish man's darkest desires

and while they suffered in their own silences
they found one another in their jointed heavens
and together they walked, forward into their own futures
for an eternity of peace.

holidays;

in the breath of winter's chill
comes the spicy aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg
with a hint of sugary sweetness

the overhead of clouds
grey with the promise of frozen rain
cascading down as artistic designs
to land gently upon rosy cheeks

the twinkling of the stars
mimicking the lights
on christmas trees
cluttered beneath the branches
brightly wrapped presents
waiting for the brilliant smiles
upon those who open them

and most of all
with the coming of the end of the year
there shines the beginning of new times to come
of dinners around the family table
where laughter and smiles are contagious
where people love and are loved

as is the beauty of the holidays.