a gory sight
for all to see
blood and meat
bones and fur
left to rot
in summer's sun
a frozen mass
in winter's chill
an accident
is what they say
unsafe to stop
no time to swerve
a silly choice
before its death
to leave its home
its safe retreat
but what is left
of fields and wood
as humans sprawl
across the land
emotions raw
the future clear
words expressed
infused with faith
and yet we find
that love may fade
that time might shred
what seemed so right
late in life
as we men age
the thrill of youth
is but a dream
hoping to close
with stoic grace
we give advice
and bide our time
and then a glance
from searching eyes
a youthful face
a knowing smile
the thrill is brief
the smile returned
for we both know
whose face she saw
a wound received
so long ago
when we were young
and innocent
it seems at first
to fade with time
but then the pain
returns with force
no treatment found
or counsel sought
we learn to live
with damage done
diversions help
as do the joys
but still it burns
defying time
and now we know
there is no cure
this chronic pain
is in our soul
they first occur
in early years
holiday myths
betray our trust
and on their heels
the myths of faith
instilled with fear
and lasting guilt
and then the words
that make no sense
to teenaged minds
in search of truth
and soon the lies
of broken love
that open wounds
that never heal
and then our turn
to foster myths
when we have children
of our own
and finally time
to hide the truth
that we decide
need not be known
