For Linda - Finding Home

Disappointment's black oil meanders a descending slick
clouding a cheek's flush, dousing hope,
smothering love.
Memory,
time spent
scorches
the facade held tight in
disguising discretion.
Exoskeletal cracks, shattering as the fire within grows intolerant.
True heart cannot hold the breach.
Discovery splatters the inner walls as the home is ripped,
slaughtered,
becoming only house.
Ramshackle,
Uninhabitable,
A house without home.

A deception without heart.
The fire builds,
the flame ascending,
temperature soars,
the weapons loading betrayal with the cruelest ammunition:
truth.
A house without home.

Mere shadow encasing refugee.
Ownership displaced, affection withdrawn,
Careless.
In the echo of battle, new coordinates required,
The owner falls deeper, grappling in memory amid answer...

Breath drawn and held for too long,
exhales.
The poised tear,
hanging,
tremulous with fatigue,
releases.

She finds Self.
And within,
Smile.
Laughter.
Play.
Warmth.
Rest.
Comfort.
Safe.
She is Home.

For Linda Hughes-Brehaut, with all my love and admiration.

MHH 2011