The stranger presence of ancient
cemented with rumor.
Most had gone -
(deserted in fact)
since the banishment of old,
but
he had found the way.
He belonged there.
Gradually,
others reached the same conclusion
and bit by bit,
the story emerged.

smashed and fallen
                       (she's gone crazy).
what she calls home,
no longer there.
shaking through tears,
her old refuge now cut off,
all she knows is
                       orphaned and alone.

father had gone to war -
returned
                  someone else,
working.
slowly healing himself.
It was years after
he regained his strength
but lost his mind,
that a young woman came,
and,
was able to understand.
the little schoolmistress fell in love.

They sit me down in hopes to reveal,
or God willing, an attempt to heal
this diminished girl once pure.

She used to be so bright and sweet,
Now the victim of her soul's retreat
into a sick and shameful mind.

Good cop, bad cop; they want my weight.
I lie on instinct - 128
(Lord forbid I'm honest).

Guiltless for her demons today,  
It was not us who led Eve astray -
our righteous Adam proved true.

At me, she yells. He cries, I cringe.
I wish there was room for all my sins -
but I ate lunch 'round noon.

Amiss unoccupied air lies
Twelve bedrooms, ten baths, 8,000 square feet.
"She's rich," they say. "Spoiled as can be.
Come to think of it -
                 she has everything she needs."

Behind closed doors she prays for the day
This deafening silence just might speak.

"Silly little girl,
Who taught that it is love you need?"

Next time you judge this privileged life,
Ponder that little girl who grew up unseen.

Yes, she's been spoiled.
Spoiled as can be.

You appear to me as colors do
(Showing affection by the seasons)
But who am I to question change?
(Knowing Nature has her reasons).

We know this warmth is wasting
(It's drifting from our grasp)
Tension peaks her hinting head again,
(We dread the day she lasts).

Coldness creeps between us
(It's growing day by day)
I cannot bear this in between,
(But always in Autumn we stay).