The word she dreaded

            Hung at first like mist

            Over a rolling field

            Then settled on her shoulders

            Lightly as a loosely woven shawl

            Her neck moved freely and

            She didn’t lose a step or

            Miss a trick

            But it was always there

            In heat and cold, from 

            Heights to hollow, all along

            The bruising earth

            And even when she cast it off by force

            The memory remained, 

            A greater yoke that pressed upon

            The days she wished for

            Wandering and delight

            As other arms turned into

            Tendrils coiled

            Like petals blown her curses flew

            And in demise they fell

            On promises and bell-like lips

            That knew full well –

            Or should have known! –

            Forgotten kisses were enough