¶ … Darkness What would it take to hitch a ride on powerful winds raging against my window…

The winds that howl, roar, disturb the quiet / shake walls, calling to me… right now

"Girl, leave it all behind -- abandon shadowy ghosts in your consciousness

"Those doubts in your head…that fuming, welling up of evil intentions

"I see the stalactites of fear and stalagmites of loathing…in your mind's cavern…"

I pull the curtains apart / what wind is this that speaks to me?

What phantom rides so freely with the wind -- how can this be?

An invisible, gusty force perceives destructive demons damning my spirit?

"Speak now, vital gust, answer me, can you blow me away from this pain…

"If so, I'll forever ride with you, side with you, in the snow and in the rain…"

230;"
I pushed nose to window, watching the bold tempest tear limbs from the tree

Feeling smaller than small, wanting to be away from it all, tears trickled salty but free

Leaves swirled, danced drunkenly and spun wildly through the long black night

There were no answers, no solutions, in the dark sonata orchestrated by the storm

My questions caught up in the wild ripping wail, no solutions offered

Would the broken tree explain why I smile when I really mean to fume?

Why I nod yes when I want to scream that I hate this world from every room?

Does the army of dry brown leaves blow in concentric circles to prove worth?

Whose child is that on yonder ridge buffeted and battered by the cruel forces?

Is that I? The child? Has the wind's fury turned back the hands of time?

Now the…