THE GIRL

***

I remember

the Girl Before.

What a paradox she was!—

all sufferer’s wisdom

and unfettered cheer—

and rote endurance of the awful

through unthinking

optimism.

A sweet, simple thing

butchered

by epiphany.

One moment of clairvoyance

slaughtered

joie de vivre—

for when she saw

all could-be endings

unfurl before her eyes

like tidal waves

crashing

unto the shore

of the future,

her spirit shattered;

shards scattered

across the sands of time;

and

in their place,

a Woman After

took to mourning.

***

#poetry

#freeverse