The Lying Waters

The river tried to lick my wounds

But they were too sour.

As the cold water drowned my words,

I counted down the hours.

Stars sighed, hiding on the horizon,

And I burned my apologies.

The sound of the sirens

Broke my painted-on serenity.

I allowed it to become a part of me –

But now the stream is stealing it.

It is sealing shut the honesty,

Opening my flesh wider,

Destroying instead of healing it.

-JW