Within

Rattling about in this self-made cage
of ventricle walls,
whose unsteady motion
churn vision into darkness,
which gathers for each rush
from chamber to chamber-
This temple is too tight,
constrained by bone and flesh,
held back by fear and froth that fill
the bars, branched and winding, that bind
the body from within.

Rhymes and Reasons

Lips bloody red,
Eyes black on blue;
His kisses were sweet
And so were you:

Sheryl, Sheryl, quite imperil'd,
How do your injuries mend?
With hospital trips and I.V. drips
And grim-faced nurses to attend.

Mama had a little girl
Her trust as pure as gold.
When Mama lied with fist-split lips
She did as she was told.
She followed in Mama's steps one day,
Which wasn't wise to do,
She didn't know another way
So she bore beatings too.

"Why did the girl put up with this?"
Her couns'lors all did cry
"She said he won her with a kiss,"
Friends would wearily reply.

Little Sheryl Evans
Looks up to the heavens,
Gazing unhappily.
She'd stuck in a knife
And ended his life
And now asks, "What'll happen to me?"