When Nothing But Black Eyes Remain

"We tried, we tried, we tried to shine"
yell the cold-wind-kissed
black-eyed-susans of the field.

"We shone so bright
proud to rise with the sun;
we knew warmth
and beauty
and glory divine"...

Sadly, for many beauties
pounding beatings
have been their lot.
Their twisted petals tell the story
of the struggles
they have had to endure.

In abusive relationships there comes
a moment when we realize
that the field of black-eyed-susans
we had fallen in love within
has turned to a stark cemetery
we must depart...
or die within.

We can search forever
in our heart of hearts
for the majesty of our yellow petals
we once possessed....
or we can humbly
gather our battered petals
and leave behind
relationships
where only black eyes remain.....