Our Lady of Perpetual Astonishment

the echoes of what went dismissed, reverberating noise unheard. a klaxon calling love or fear and you can’t be deterred. she wanted to save him but couldn’t figure how. he listened to his heartscream and he’s long gone now. if they hear any of it? so little, much too late. the churning of self loathing beneath each departing wake. there’s a culture forming and it’s not quite what we planned. sticking it to our own selves and placating the man. micro macro every level each goal leaves us out. wondering why it’s quiet when we all want to shout. how you came the hard way to know yourself so well. when he called her magic from underneath her spell. resounding dismissal shaking off a guise of care. wanting forehead kisses from someone who’s never there. the memories in which you’d dwell, the oblivion that calls. knowing who can’t catch you if you too choose to fall. the labor’s long since been of love, the chores were never done. the work she’s tired of doing, the restless drive to run. perhaps the spring is coming but the winter is still dark. if she gets done running she is welcome at my hearth.