THE GIRL
***
I remember
the Girl Before.
What a paradox she was!—
all sufferer’s wisdom
and unfettered cheer—
and rote endurance of the awful
through unthinking
optimism.
A sweet, simple thing
butchered
by epiphany.
One moment of clairvoyance
slaughtered
joie de vivre—
for when she saw
all could-be endings
unfurl before her eyes
like tidal waves
crashing
unto the shore
of the future,
her spirit shattered;
shards scattered
across the sands of time;
and
in their place,
a Woman After
took to mourning.
***