Hiding
by Nancy Anderson
Hiding in the cupboard
In existential dark,
The stamps of life beyond my size
Become the thrill of sharks.
The bloom of painful flowers,
Expoding in my past,
Becomes the Armageddon,
Come once again to crash.
My dream of peace and hope. . .
I wake to heartsick soul
Of deathly feeling walking
Through poisoned body cold.
God-awful devil raping,
"My God!" It must be true.
I’m scum-to-scum and ash-to-ash
And death will be the rule.
The ever pushing pressure
Of hate and fear and shame,
Of bandied lies and alibis
And men without a name;
Of answerless conviction,
Of nights spent all alone,
Of wondered whys and heavy sighs
And prayers to end it all. . . .
My dear, you’re ever lovely,
And perfectly at right
To think I’ve not respected
Your nightmares come to light.
I would protect you ever,
But past I cannot fight.
I haven’t swords to fight the lords
Of demons in your night.