Yellow Leaves in the Rain


I’ve found myself wondering what trauma she’s gone through.
She sits there:
stout,
harmonious,
somber

NOW YELLOW
however she wears this yellow with the notion of moving on––
a moving on that is not fair to her––
one she doesn’t deserve

Who hurt her?
Who pulled her hair?
Who caressed her for too long
infringing on her girlhood
turning her to the wise 100 years young women she is now?
Who stole her lonely nights from her?

The scars on her belly,
on her left breast
teaching her that her body
holds more value than
her voice

Yet she still falls back
on the idea that he was too good to her––
misses calling him “baby”
misses being someone else’s
queen 

SHE’S BLUE until she’s
reminded of his breath on her neck
and the involuntary tingle starting in her labia
that she tried to fight
but somehow his unwanted
tongue made her shudder
again and again          
Yes, she’s missed him sometimes
            LET HER YELLOW LEAVES FALL
 

Eloise Silver Van Meter

VT

YWP Alumni