She stared across the sand
Watching the caravan disappear
Out of earshot
Out of reach, out of thought
A rose once so bright
Withered
A dried petal drifting down
Caught on life’s thorn
Snagged and shook with a start
Out of reach, out of thought

Darkness creeps in
Fading light the reagent
Of love and hate
Of happy and sad
Of fear and courage
The collected emotions
Scattered and abandoned

Life’s gyroscope flipped
Sea to desert
Life to death
Love to hate

The heart’s concubines, the soul
Ripped and torn
Watching the caravan disappear
Out of reach, out of thought
Finally
Beneath bilious grey skies
She cried