she sat motionless
alone in the darkness
alone in her tears
mourning the passing
of so few happy moments
of so many years
she had read the article
about the catholic girl
porno queen suicide victim
who had expressed in an interview
a longing to return
to the innocence
of the wholesome childhood
she once knew
she folded the paper
laid it down by her side
turned off the lamp
and quietly cried
but not in compassion
for the girl who had died
she cried in self pity
in hopeless despair
alone in the darkness
in a worn overstuffed chair
though the tragic account
sparked empathetic concern
her pity and sorrow
pathetically turned
to envy
of a memory
of a happier time
to which to long to return
june 13, ‘87
© 1987
