Eyes dry as sand on a hot desert day
Hide pain with laughter
Disguise hurt with a smart phrase
Flashing a smile to hide animosity

Poisonous memories fill thoughts
With images from the past
Hidden amid the jocularity
That dispell trust with anger

The trial of thoughts conflicts
With the need to be free
To feel Cared for
As the hurt bubbles to the surface

Emotions raw from past pain
Twist inside, churning like a hurricane
Stir feelings, buried long ago
To a raging volcano

The face contorts
With drops of anger
Tears flow like a river in the desert
Uncontrolled as a flash flood

Just as quickly they subside
Appearances barely change
Cloudless as before
Awaiting the final storm.

05/10/2004