b.  l.  a. m.  e.

blame
you  
for forcing my hand  
 
to grasp the trunk  
of nature
in my small hands  
while you preached from the pulpit
about your savior  
 
while you looked at me  
long and hard
kissed my lips  
inappropriately  
my mind racing to remove  
the memory  
 
tips of the trees
swung in the breeze  
mesmerizing dance  
leaves swishing  
long skirts rustling  
on such steady legs  
 
blame  
you for pulling
laughter from my lips  
into a silent scream  
 
trees swarmed  
in tumultuous thunder  
of whispers  
bringing my voice back  
ringing ceremony  
 
blame  
you for the burning
fire you started  
in my soul  
to wander wherever  
the wind would take me  
 
wind that helped
me breathe  
forget  
lost in the canopy
of tranquility  
 
forest became  
my pulpit
of deep understanding  
mossy beds my carpet  
of comfort  
rivers my cleansing  
ran deeper  
than life's blood  
 
blame  
do you mock?  
my steady hands
quivering lips  
daring to bare  
truth  
 
of your misfortunes  
large thorns  
tearing away  
black cloak  
white collar  
you thought gave you  
power
 
blame  
you beautiful  
confounded hypocrite  
lying there
lips stained  
with red wine  
your goblet overturned  
 
 
light cascades  
all around  
rainbow prism  colors
splashed on wooden benches
worn smooth by old gnarled
hands  
women  
humming  
ancient gospel  
 
wood that cries
for the forest
that's all she hears  
 
can i blame
you?  
 
for giving me  
thunder and lightning  
rain that makes me dance
sunlight that burns hotter
than you ever could  
that thought alone  
brings back my laughter  
 
child reborn  
in the woods
so willing to hold me tender
this is my  
savior  
 
all others  
be damned