The Woman

as I fold my clothes

and go about my business

I hear her deafening screams

She sobs furiously and in between

pauses to let out a piercing shrill

into the hot air

and as I go about my business

I am silenced in thought

and perceivings

I am frozen by her withering and her

eager belting pain

is she alone in a maddening darkness?

hands scratching at the wall

and the air

does she bury her face in

quivering hands and blame

is he there cowering in the corner unconsoling?

not knowing or knowing all too well

the pain he has given

she sobs and pauses in between to

scream at herself or at him

and as I go about my business

and the wind chimes twink and shime

and the refrigerator sings a melody I understand

my eardrums spasm to the sound and

contort in remembrance to the times

of my madness

when I was her

and the heart sinks

and spirit reminded

splash your face with cold water

and start another day sweet thing

take a pill and sleep for now

give your heart peace for the rest of the day

as I go about my business

I fold my clothes

and put the sadness away