Bridges Burnt

 

Down her cheek there rolls a tear

Lowered eyes reflect the fear

She feels that others see the pain

She tries to hide to mask the shame.

 

Shame of what she has become

Despite her efforts to succumb

To good intentioned, sound advice

Delivered at preposterous price.

 

Shame at how the mind deplores

Those temperamental personal flaws,

Of slights inferred and insults hurled

At friend and foe with flag unfurled.

 

Friend and foe who tried to help,

Who lowered guard  to feel the welt

Of verbal horsewhip to the jowl,

To violently recoil with howl.

 

Betrayal in its basest form

All sympathetic help withdrawn.

She furiously stands distraught

In isolation’s cold white thought.

 

Down her cheek there rolls a tear

Of distain for the eyes that jeer,

Directed to the darts of blame

From whence no help will come again.

 

Marshalg

Collateral damage

4 February 2012