Shallow Pools

SHALLOW

I laugh

I smile

I dance

I play

But inside

I am older than you all

My wrinkles fall

In sheets

Lines

Geography of countries

I have seen and love

The views of sadness

And happiness

From above

This child has suffered and grown

This adult has played and known

That this smile gracing my mouth

This stupid accent touching my teeth

Is no more than a shallow pool--

You know me

As well as you know a fool

VOICES

When I am alone, the voices come

They tell me everything I have done

And what has been done to me

I know who I am

And that has set me free

But it lies so deep

So far

Those parts I keep hidden

And in nights they come

Unwanted, unbidden

To whisper all those might-have-beens

And all the might-bes

To haunt me with a crying child

Who will never be free

Don’t look at me--

I’m afraid

Of what they might see.

2017