# = filter: poem

[azurelunatic]

I no longer know your face.
Your voice comes odd to mind.
How has this changed you?;
stranged you.

Once your breath came twin to mine,
our bodies flowed in tune.
You have estranged me,
changed me.
Where is the root of what you wrought?
Changed me, deranged me.

Once I stood proud behind your side:
champion, companion.
I stooped; you left me in the dark.
Companion,
abandon.

There I hid to hide my pain;
abandoned -- no champion.
Who fought for you, you now scorned.
In pain, insane. To cut my heart with your gift sword --
insane, red rain.

I knelt for you and bared my heart.
It rained my pain.
I knelt, no shame. You scorned my pain.
Insane, in shame, I knelt.
You cursed my name.

All change in vain, for you
deranged the sane,
enraged others in my name.
They felt my pain
and saw my shame;
you left me naked in the rain.

Enraged, insane,
I cursed your name.
I stooped and stumbled, fought the pain.

Enraged, estranged. You wrought my change.

Your rotten heart should feel the flames,
the shame,
stripped, tied,
naked in the rain.

I loved in vain.


(c) 2000 Joan Laurel Baldridge