* Cruelity

Verbal Cruelty --
Physical Violence ---
Enraged angry voices.
A powerful slap
from the shoulder.
The sound of
a jaw as it
snaps.
People running
someone intervenes
one person verbalizes
another offers a hug.

Talk to me of
the silence
of a heart shattering -
fragmented into
a million pieces.
Falling and breaking
without a sound or
single recognition.
No one there to bandage
No one there to repair
No kind word
No 911
No sirens
No knight in
shining armour
to rescue.
Simply the long
silent
anguish
of a treasured heart
ripped to shreds -
taking forever
and a day
to heal.

"You'll soon be back
to your old self"
friends cajole -
The truth is
in loving you
I am forever changed -
for better
and for worse.

Where do broken
hearts go?
Do they
find their way home?

Dec. 22/01