Washed away

For of this heart, a branded stain-
Unrecognized,
draped of lingering whys
found amidst
clouded chapters now written
on merciless skies

Beneath a foot bridge
peering up
as footsteps approach
waiting, counting the cracks in the board
in filtered light
absorbed

Debris collects in the corners
of my forced smile,
raspy tones invade
what once was my voice,
though now
words float more harm
than good

Two silhouettes,
hand in hand,
pulling on the edges of my heart,
seizing it, tearing it,
spitting on the waste now
carelessly tossed
to the side

Quickly the creek it rises,
cold water reaching my chest,
numbing, if only temporarily
the pain,
filling the gaping hole,
flooding my senses

Now as shadows fall
on puddle’d earth
and footprints
disappear over the crest
of what was once love…
I cry,
fearing the ripples
as my tears
follow desperate currents
slowly washing me away