with each flutter
those kohl rimmed eyes
reveal
a mirror to her heart
lips fail to deliver
heart’s murmur

her slate of the past
now wiped clean,
a new future is chalked
ruthlessly trampling
past residue

residue
may be all that I am...
soul’s temple frail
from its combat with life
but
my resilient inner beauty
audaciously still seeks
a glimmer of hope


© 2019