I once knew a girl with hair the color of oxidized bronze
We rowed in flimsy boats made of dirty newspaper
Sticky-glued together with stories of better days
Paddling upstream against the current of denial
With oars whittled from promises of brighter tomorrows
She always smiled like sunshine cutting across a storm
Laughter doves slipping from her lips
We’d hide satin rapped secrets in the trunks of apple trees
Out of the way for the prying eyes of adults
Believed if we grinned wide enough laughed hard enough
All would be forgotten swept away with the breeze
She did everything best even when she didn't want to
Push forward wanting to pull back
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In my minds eye she’s a ballet dancer
Bourréeing, pirouetteing around the demolished dreams
Fragmented mirrors her mother dumped at her feet
Imprisoned in ribbons stronger then steel
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We had a refuge none knew of “off limits” “sanctuary” “ours”
Six feet by four rusty tin protruding from the cliff magic carpet
Snaking river far-flung below our feet bubbling oh so softly
We’d sit there in robed silence like queens on a throne
Getting ready to walk a gilded tightrope, grasp at a rainbow
One will ask the other baited breath “Do you want to fly today”
Small faltering whisper replies “Tomorrow sounds better”
Holding onto the edge of the world just to see whats on the other side
Maybe tomorrow we fall