You are neither
Judge nor jury
In this life called mine
And yet you find it
So easy to condemn me.
Judging me the same
As others you’ve known
While never knowing truly.
And yet you’re the one
Who lied and pretended
While I was a harbinger of truth.
Emotional maturity eludes you
Though your age is greater than mine
And I fillet the scales of my heart
Of my soul
To help you rule in my favor.
Go ahead and walk away
In the direction you’ve always gone
But don’t expect to end up
Anywhere new.
Your Sweet N Low phrases
No longer go in my coffee
But leave bitterness
Where it should not belong.
Once upon a time
You were tangled up in me
Wanting me to be
Your safe harbor in the storm
Not caring that I needed
A safe harbor of my own.
The choices we’ve made
Have led us both here
In doorways
On opposite sides
Of the street
And though my arms
Were open
And I longed for yours
To be
Now I must turn
From you
As you did
From me
Passing me by
A huddled shadow
On the gallows.
Strapped to a pyre
Farce of a trial
Completed
I will neither plead
Nor weep.
Head held higher
Than ever before
I know the ashes
Will rise me anew
I meet your eyes
With my fire.
Accused and found guilty
My essence is pure
But I have found you
To be dishonorable.
I rise and I rise
The wind in my wings
My exit summons my shadows
And they eat you alive
As you walk in your peace
I finally
Set you
Free.
Eileen Maki 