The near fatal blows
That befell her spirit
In harsh times past
Created deep cracks
In the rose colored lenses
Of her conscious
Making it painfully apparent that
Try as she might she couldn’t
Keep those glimpses of “what is” from
Seeping through the numerous fissures
Making her eyes burn and tear

All attempts to squeeze them shut
To this new reality’s stark visage
Made in vain

A darker truth hovered in her mind
Like a stagnant miasma choking out
The fresh breath of dreams
While tedium gnawed voraciously on
New perspectives and doldrums
Slowly painted over bright outlooks
In ever deepening
Shades of gray.
Taking great care to use
Broad strokes
Ensuring
Full coverage.

Dolorous days drifted by
In a haze
Of dull sound and dense fog
Blocking out blues sky
A slowly setting sun suddenly sank
Into somnambulistic slumber
Leaving her in endless twilight
An artless still life
Living a half life
Filled with shelved dreams

Her features forming
Fretful frowns
Mouth agape in silent screams
As a leaden heart weighing heavily
On a soul ill prepared
For it’s newly acquired burden
Found itself
Unsupported
Falling freely
Fully fearing the fatal
Outcome from landing
Still intact
And forced to exist
For extended
Moments in this
Tortuously
Terrifying terrain

Better to shatter
So forcefully
As to become dust
Perchance the opportunity
To fly away
Riding the winds currents to
Friendlier climes

Better still
To land
On another lens
Living out life happily
Seeing only
The rosy reflection
Of her own
Souls outlook