The despot depression
Is stalking me today
Shrouded in black lace

With fallacious kindness
He strokes my face
In a sanguinary way

Odious air grows thick
As he slowly encroaches upon
My rampart as I pathetically

Augment my parapet of mirrors
My last attempt
To deflect the truth

As I fall prey once more
To depredation
In the face of mine enemy

My Bleeding Heart

My heart lies
Bleeding in my hands
Though it be bruised and battered

It is all I have to offer. As
Rage, like cancer, slowly
Blackens

The metronome of my soul.
I give it to you freely for
It is all that is mine to give.

Together we can watch it
As it quickly turns to stone.
So take from me this offering.

Take this rune-stone heart of mine and
Carve upon it with your pain as
You fill each chamber with your tears.

(In Memory of Dirk)

Copyright 1996 Rebecca Sandberg. All rights reserved.