Faltering

Whispers fill ears
Like the wind blowing  crisp leaves
Glares passed like greetings
Stabbed into backs
Slipped between ribs

Pull up shields
Wear them like cloaks
Walk tall
Hide the stumbling

Rise to greet the day
But before night and day intermingle
You're cut down again

Sew on smiles
To match button eyes
This routine
A dance that never ends