Child Bride

He took me as his child bride

and I stayed closely by his side

He took me as his child bride

and could not let me grow.

But grow I did on wild side

no longer being child bride

he did not love my wild side

and chose to let me go.

So off I went down hallowed halls

to learn inside these different walls

at night I hear my children's calls

what death it is to grow.

Does a man exist to love a woman grown

or shall I spend my life alone?

Will young sons love their mother grown,

or will they, too turn away?

CLM

9/93

Loneliness

At the crowded grocery store,

I wonder.

Can they see it,

those people with their families?

Does it seep out

my ears and nose

in a pustulant

drippy green river?

Can they hear it?

Those talking about 

dinner...

the dry crackling of

my arid, static-laden 

heart?

Can they smell it?

Those who wear too much perfume?

The ugly stench from my bowels...

Does loneliness have

an odor?

At the crowded grocery store

I cower and I wonder.

CM 93