The storm clouds grow near
The rain becomes thick
Thunder rolls about the sky
Streaks of light strike out upon the unsuspecting natives
They bow down to this unknown force
That commands the wind and has blocked the sun
And poured water down into the river
And sent shock waves though the land

Now something is wrong for the water does not cease
And keeps coming down in torrents
And soon only one man is alive in a tree
Weeping of all the destruction.

Breath in this air
Crisp in my lungs
Sweet on my tongue
Cool on my lips

Smelling of rose water and lilac so strong
Kissing my cheeks
Blowing my hair

Carrying my dreams on its everlasting current
Whispering sweet lovelies
To those who accept it

His arms strong that hold me tight
They keep me safe from what’s outside

But when does safe become obsessive
A love that is taken to far

When does our home become a prison?
And my lover become a guard

When does a soft touch rise to a punch?
And my love turn to fear of whenever he comes

How do I escape from being a slave?
To a man that loves me too much

How can I hide from this monster he’s become
Or will I disappear into the strange dark shadows

To be what he wants
To be no more

Is it you, or I that has come to this tree
With its purple and shady gray leaves
In the midst of summer among the pines
This tree planted here is glorified
Its bark is dull yet its leaves are bright
And father time that is surely divine
Has visited this wonder which is his prize
The stream that flows around the roots
Its water sweet for the weary traveler
Those who drink and regain their strength
Worship this tree, which has come
From the heavens
To bless us with all its splendor

What is this?
I ask
And think
And quarrel with myself
Trying to find the answers
To questions rhetorical in nature.
What am I to do with
That
That has been presented to me
My mind is but a gift discarded
I lie
I cry
I cheat myself
Out of anything
And everything
I could have wanted
And why
I ask
I dare inquire
Do I care of the happiness of others?
When such a feeling in my heart
Is devoid of harboring wonder
Why, oh why
I find, search and fail
For others I comply
I foolishly give way
I think that it can only be
That I cannot stand
To be loved falsely by you.

I walk the blackened cobbled street
The click and clack of uncertain feet
Stroll under yellowed lights over head
Singling me in a spotlight.

Ancient boughs strain under weight
Of springtime blooms in middle-may
The scent wafts down on every leaf
They color the ground with white and green.

White and green against grim tones
A contrast laid to set rebellion
A beauty, bowing down with beast
To waltz around life’s center stage.

I wait as a lover by the placid sea
I wait never ending for only thee
I weep that you have traversed so far
I steep into madness each day your gone.

How I survive I do not know
For dragging my feet I slide to the floor
For a mood so severe takes hold so firm
Making sure to crush my weary spirit.

I quake and I quiver as if scarlet fever
Were wrapping its grip tightly round me.
Strong like steel as I wail and plead
I find I cannot escape this infinite peal

Of madness, this madness that madness!
Strike me down and let the earth now take me
Let it cradle me in its rough hands
Just so I forget the damages left to body, spirit and soul.

Now hunger is bearing its jagged pearl teeth
Dripping with a poisonous filth. My heart is a flutter
Though not from a lover, but death who invites me in.
That monster I thought had been fiend.

T’was sweetness I heard in dreams now forgotten
Of a voice made from old silk. And turning my head
I looked and beheld that lethe that takes all thought away.
A memory that fades so quickly away now takes all my fears away.

“Suffer no more.” Said that voice from below
The surface of that kindly river.

So step in I did, with no consequence
And drift did I drift away. Forgetting the pain
And remorse of the day your left and that
Madness slowly came from pain.