feet free upon the winter ground
soft soles accompany hard feet
you are quiet in your markings
but the thought of you
is burned across my chest

silent footsteps
menacing with their threat of destruction
here
i have frayed and tarried in your alterations
covered in your shame

swollen heart
each drop of blood
purged by your greedy mouth
tongue searing
at my thinly veiled courtesy

pure and unpainted
you linger
to shred the last of my dignity
and claim my land with your flag
for all to witness

lead me to the pain
for i am exhausted by this existence
here
i am awakened by my fear
and set forth upon the world

blood beneath nails
searching
rest, easy
for the scars are still raw from your existence