a year now

We lived a long way
Wandered through laughter, loving maze
Filled lost sensibility, fighting anger
Rising from laughing bones

A long way
Manufacturing emptiness, our passion
Out of nothing
Constructed temples
Later identified as selfish ignorance

Facing sullen angry outbursts,
Reality wrote a year-long poem from your
Ragged makeup, elements of tender promise
A little girl in woman's body driving sweetness
In a one-way mirror

Once upon a long time
Someone placed romantic roses at your feet
Trampled by fear, they grew back.
Stronger.
You cut them down
They smiled,
Listening to a business voice
Conducting overtures, every note well placed

Mind you, it wasn't easy
Understanding manipulation's manic puzzle
Falling on your incredulous shelf
Where dust words
Swallowed love's lies and eyes
Saw words perfect words
Arranged in perfect pleasing order
Facing a tortured joy inside
Misery creating you