With Apologies to Ms. Dickinson

With Apologies to Ms. Dickinson

Matted black hair
covering gray, brown eyes
above thin lips
pretending to smile.

Then low-whispered words
echo across my skin:

“Thank you,
(I’m lying),
I love you!
(I’m trying),
I need you!
(I wish I were dead).”

Yesterday nightmares,
fantasy horrors,
choked back aggression
and the hour of lead;

All keep my angel
from flying again.