CENTER OF THE SOUL

                         CENTER OF THE SOUL                      Occasionally shells crack,                      oozing pain and confusion,                      forming unforgiving puddles                           congealing into                        a state of vulnerability                           to another's gaze                                       screams returned                            by dead silence                            liquid pain,                            stripped naked and raw,                          drying untouched                           where it flowed                         turned inside out,                         as with  a dagger,                          the exposed soul                           without balm                         finds no healing                          from the elements                          sighing escapes                         silences' request                            pain falls                         on stony shores,                          crashing waves                      return it to beginnings                       just before drowning                           cracks seal,                       encasing, protecting                         with stronger glue                           inner being                             peruses                       unchanged expressions                           once again                       expecting too much,                      receiving  too little                                    pressure rises                            to match                          stone sounds                          memory evades                                the  importance                           of moments ago                            lifted hands                       return wet and cold                           where tears                         should be warm                             unless,                        frozen in silence                             denial                       of earth-shattering                           intensity                           alleviates                        guilt's cruelty                       lacking an embrace                             on cue                         exhaustion with                       unshakable heaviness                            prevents                         instant recall                      delayed until tomorrow,                          will be tagged                            not-important                          if unsuccessful                            a new smile,                           for  survival,                          must take place                          as life goes on                       somehow compensating                      the souls central pain                         in lieu of death.                                            ©  8/14/2000                   by Donna Saulsman Friedrichs