this way to back

A few words about the toll this separation is taking on our eight year old daughter Angela …

I heard you

I heard you today, though no word was said
And saw you today, how silent your dread

I heard you today, mute protest rang loud
The brave way you met it’d make any heart proud

I heard you today, though years your tongue cage
And felt you today, could not bear your rage

I heard you today, when your heart told of love
but can't know whence help comes, if not from above.

I heard you today, choked still ‘neath grey veil
but watched you pretend life’s pallor to pale

I heard you today, unable to say
how cheap falsehoods our sky made so grey

I heard you today, what your heart bursts to say
though fears still your lips, tears silent to pray

I heard you today, suppressing your fears,
While those you rely on succumb to their tears

I heard you today the protest bells true
what is it exactly, us grown-ups are doing to you?

Dad

What to do about Katherine?

I love someone who loves not me
and kick as I might I cannot get free.
Help someone please! To crawl past this mess
Just gotta get straight, find peace and rest.

They say ‘keepin’ busy’ my comeback’ll speed
but to my shame, can't get beyond need
Friends pray get me away, declare: ‘sink or swim!’
but no matter how deep I tread,I think of you and him.

They say I should be out, finding someone new
but the truth is, my soul, the new girl’s still you
And while I adore you, my thin heart to burst
It turns out, to taunt me, that’s not half the worst.

For this woman I grieve will not my daughter let leave
and a cruel bent of law forbids me reprieve
So silently waiting, I pine Dad’s weekends
while Katherine, wanton, her love elsewhere spends.

Where was it written my fate to choose her?
When was it forecast to cost all so dear?
I'm holding and waiting, such sore to be heal
and long for the daybreak, to be able to feel.

I know I must get life, shake free this blue
but each thought self-destructs, impales on you
Wars should not fight which cannot be won
but for my meantime, every task, smallest ask, is yet another, and left undone!

Ben