Spring Again

Rain stipples the sidewalk around me.

Gentle scents of daphne, hyacinth,

Evergreen clematis like jasmine. 

Breath of warmed soil startled awake.

Inner Silence

Hush my dear one
Like the sound of wind caressing green leaves. 


You cannot lead through violence,
Threats
Anger. 


You cannot force your will upon me. 
I refuse and grow rigid, defiant
and we both lose. 


Hush my dear one
Like the sound of wind caressing green leaves
I will comfort you. 


Your words cut like knives through me, my own 
self-inflicted pain 
Seep slowly through fibers of flesh and spirit  
Slow poison. 


Hush my dear one
Like the sound of wind caressing green leaves. 


                                Hush 


I will hold you
You are loved 


                                 You are loved.