Rattling on branches end, leaves blown
through tiny whirlwinds of crisp fall air
ground into dirt with no memory of having flown

In the briskness of short’ning days it’s hard to share
dark thoughts and reminders of
hurts and blows undeserved and hardly fair.

Walking down an autumn lane, gloves
pulled above freezing wrists
Ignoring hidden stripes of dark dried blood

She covers bruises from others’ fists
Afraid to let even close friends see
The marks upon her skin, lest

Suddenly she be held up to ridicule,
Or worse, ignored as though
It’s she who’s broken unspeakable rules.

Rattling on branches end, leaves blown
through tiny whirlwinds of crisp fall air
ground into dirt with no memory of having flown
In the briskness of short’ning days it’s hard to share
dark thoughts and reminders of
hurts and blows undeserved and hardly fair.

Walking down an autumn lane, frozen
stiff but afraid to stop walking.
She just keeps moving, an

Idealistic measure, stalking
the fear of loneliness, moving into
a place where she can stop talking.

Rattling on branches end, leaves blown
through tiny whirlwinds of crisp fall air
ground into dirt with no memory of having flown
In the briskness of short’ning days it’s hard to share
dark thoughts and reminders of
hurts and blows undeserved and hardly fair.

The wind whistling through
The leafless, loveless branches
Who couldn’t hold her if they wanted to.

We’re always taking our chances
Testing fate and God with recklessness
While pain strikes with heated lances

Into skin and hearts all a mess
From repeated blows from self and others
Until there is pain even from a kiss.