She Gathered Lilacs

She Gathered Lilacs
by Michael R. Burch
 

for Beth
 

She gathered lilacs
and arrayed them in her hair;
tonight, she taught the wind to be free.
 

She kept her secrets
in a silver locket;
her companions were starlight and mystery.
 

She danced all night
to the beat of her heart;
with her tears she imbued the sea.
 

She hid her despair
in a crystal jar,
and never revealed it to me.
 

She kept her distance
as though it were armor;
gauntlet thorns guard her heart like the rose.
 

Love! -- awaken, awaken
to see what you’ve taken
is still less than the due my heart owes!
 

Published by The Neovictorian/Cochlea, The Eclectic Muse (Canada), Shabestaneh (Iran), Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, The Chained Muse, Inspirational Stories and Captivating Poetry (Anthology)