crumbs
lip stained metal
swings on swollen knuckles
too hurt to burn
her old friend tea
keeps it's own council
as she reads darker leaves
tears rip clear as limbs
at last falling to their chains
turning dust to dust
for ill wind's amusement
then even precious crumbs
sweep silently away
leaving unbreathable dirt
and aisles of brick
lip stained metal
swings on swollen knuckles
too hurt to burn
her old friend tea
keeps it's own council
as she reads darker leaves
tears rip clear as limbs
at last falling to their chains
turning dust to dust
for ill wind's amusement
then even precious crumbs
sweep silently away
leaving unbreathable dirt
and aisles of brick
short
long
(c) 2006