Pieces

by Jamie Dement

As the day swells on
waves of thunder and pain
roll through my heart
dragging me under
the riptide of darkness.
Dreams shatter
Millions of pieces
of hope
gone

Voices rage in my head
my heart
neither play nice
with the other
bicker and banter
yelling
screaming
tearing at the walls
punching and lashing
spitting

No longer can I see
those millions of pieces
lying at my feet
swallowed in the abyss
of blackened fear
loneliness
doubt

The murky waves
crash around my feet
beckoning me to join
its loving warmth
its putrid promises
linger
tempt

Somewhere in the tunnel
where pitch meets black
a glimmer dances
on ebony tears
twirling closer
tugging
grasping

As the day dies
Bleak lies beside me
on the shimmering shore
we bathe in the obsidian glow
of shattered dreams
Millions of pieces
of hope
stir

Jamie Dement works as an IT Security Consultant for HP on a military contract. She lives in Florida with her husband, son, and 3 cats. She has been a caregiver for her Army vet for the past 13 years but only recently opened up and admitted her struggles and feelings in an attempt to heal emotionally. Now she uses her writing and her own experiences to help other spouses and caregivers. You can read more on her blog at: http://caringforaveteran.wordpress.com.