shattered no one looks at her as she walks to school uniformed, books clutched to her chest passing cars, pedestrians see past her through her she is unremarkable she is scenery. each step to her destination an effort not to turn and run sheer force of will her only glue to hold together her plain
fledge each first day of school we stood beside you waiting for the yellow bus to take you there. we knew you would return our ache temporary. no more busses stop here today we stand beside your car packed with everything that is you this place no longer serves your dreams we each whisper unspoken
in the measure of spring outside the open door half the horizon holds up an illusory sky barren fields melting form their own inviolate border a lone raven lifts its wings a shadow over muddy mirrors stacked summer chairs wait to be used again defrosting in the returned sunshine the air whispers a tentative welcome