Cracked by Alyssa Abell

They've shown the world now,
how a chip leads to cracking.
She seemed so strong, pristine.
Cracks like spider webs, infectious.
Stoney words carelessly tossed,
rippling across her chest.
Her sunny smile shattered,
gloomy clouds rain daggers.
Storm so fierce windows leak,
she lay in bed all day, listening.
Cracked panes leaving the pillow wet.

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Storm Windows

BY HOWARD NEMEROV

People are putting up storm windows now,   

Or were, this morning, until the heavy rain   

Drove them indoors. So, coming home at noon,   

I saw storm windows lying on the ground,   

Frame-full of rain; through the water and glass

I saw the crushed grass, how it seemed to stream   

Away in lines like seaweed on the tide

Or blades of wheat leaning under the wind.

The ripple and splash of rain on the blurred glass   

Seemed that it briefly said, as I walked by,   

Something I should have liked to say to you,

Something ... the dry grass bent under the pane   

Brimful of bouncing water ... something of   

A swaying clarity which blindly echoes

This lonely afternoon of memories

And missed desires, while the wintry rain   

(Unspeakable, the distance in the mind!)

Runs on the standing windows and away.