outlines

alas how my life defines
tales of death
of pain divine
of merciful breath

of friends today
of those gone by
of those in vain
those who will die

of cries of pain
of sweet release
of crimson tide and of deep blue seas

of smaller lives
of cruel thoughts
of slanders
and of misfortunes wrought

of weary eyes
quiet exhaustion
confined laughter
trodden devotion

of thoughtless compliance
scented trauma
sweetened wounds
painful teething....