Once Upon A Time (2) Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Once upon a time I believed in everything
I thought I was cock of the midden
Walked hand-in-hand with happiness

Life dropped its usual bombshells
I was collateral damage

Hope performed the Indian rope trick
Shinnied into the clouds and disappeared

My jewels were paste, delight was counterfeit
With each new pregnancy, my hips widened

I was a tree dropping apples
Bruised by unforgiving ground
Violet stains on their hearts

Love was water, cupped in the hand
Trickling away like sand