Neglected

I hear her breathing behind me, following me in s i l e n c e Her face remains unseen But I’m learning to know her regardless I know she’s been neglected I know she’s starving I know she’s passionate She feels the exquisite nature in everything even the chains that keep her in my shadow even me, who cruelly shackled her She shuffles in my stead, Her breathing rasps, but as I know her better she begins to s i n g The mournful song of the neglected, the beautiful song of the hopeful And I turn to embrace her -she looks like me with pure, white, unseeing eyes- And we collapse in tears finally after so many years of neglect I know her again I see her again