“Diminished Defenses”
By Ashley O’Hare
Every cloud in the sky
brings you to mind.
Every stormy night
I hold on tight
because the memories
never sit right.
They crash onto me
so hard, I cannot see
the leaves on the trees.
I wish when you tore me apart,
you had returned my heart.
I cannot play my part
with pain off the charts.
My cheeks hurt from smiling,
hiding the weight piling.
My shoulders cannot take it anymore.
Loving you was my choice
that altered my life’s course.
Losing you started a war
I was not prepared for.
I won’t make it out.
My defenses are down.