hits the gut strong
an afternoon spent
lying in languor
sweaty on the couch
hot sultry Ohio in the blow
twirl of sharp blades
ruffling the borders
of strewn newspapers.

sometimes an intensity of sad.
pity’s self, restless loss
a film double-exposed
comes to realize
that Hecuba is being born
news of a neighbor
struck with heart pain
not dissimilar.
sometimes we muse
on a mortal woman
her children gathered
round her grave

who has not
lived to love again
not for lack of will
but because
no one came

© 1999 Jane Piirto