In days gone by
as leaves fall
on a kiss of wind
to the cold wet earth
The children whirl
trying to catch them
Small feet shuffle
kicking up leaves
clods of dirt fly
revealing hidden things

As new flashing colors fall
the tears of dying trees
caught by none
they run
breathless
off the beaten path
through the old woods
kicking up leaves
that land with wet sounds
Behind, the dogs run faster

Turn away, turn away
don’t listen as they fall
Hear the snap of branches
the piercing cries
and flutter of birds
pinions of their little wings
spread like tiny fingers
as leaves are stirred
tangled and crushed
beneath the loam

A rain of soft drops
spatter the leaves
as dirt clods fly
and land with wet sounds
Dig, uncover, dig again
until the earth
consumes us all
and whispered secrets
ride the wind like falling leaves
to cover what is left

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 1/1/1997
For all survivors of any form of rape or abuse; you are not alone. Speak out. Find your path to healing.

http://www.asashesscatter.com
wrr@asashesscatter.com
@AsAshesScatter

“Falling Leaves”

Survivors of child sexual abuse are as different as leaves in a wood, even when some of us come from the same tree.

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 7/13/2012

There is no measure
for all beauty
all compassion
passion
care and kindness
well up from
the same source
Trickling over
hearts of stone
wetting deserts
of punishing loss
it finds the low places
and slowly
slowly
fills them
In time others see
the still pool
of sweet water
kneel to drink
and soul is refreshed
Yet the source
of the spring
is not in the earth
it is born in the hearts
that have
bled through tears
of pain and joy
until the water
has no choice
but to rise

~~~

© W.R.R. 7/19/2011
For all survivors of any form of rape or abuse; you are not alone. Speak out. Find your path to healing.

www.asashesscatter.com
wrr@asashesscatter.com
@AsAshesScatter

Standing quiet
refusing to cry
as tears gleam
on other cheeks
this little doll
with golden curls
smiled to take my pain
The words were said
the play begun
and little kisses
began the rest
tiny red, they whispered
it’s only a game
but those dark things
that had to follow
swept all light away
My pretty maid
so brave and still
a doll to break
for cruel wants
that were never mine
my princess see
all I want when dark is done
is to see you free of me

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 12/5/1993
For all survivors of any form of rape or abuse; you are not alone. Speak out. Find your path to healing.

Child sex trafficking rings are real and they exist in all countries of the world. These monsters use living children to make disgusting films and photos, to sell to other monsters. They use children to hurt other children, and the guilt and shame can kill. It will still exist… these children will still suffer… whether you choose to know it or not. Please don’t look away. Knowledge is power, power to save the lives of children.

http://www.asashesscatter.com
wrr@asashesscatter.com
@AsAshesScatter

A princess sleeps
all sorrows done
gather round now, witness
precious curls spun into gold
patina lost in shadows
Porcelain cracked
when she fell
a broken doll
she watches us
defiant stare
melting into peace
the witnesses denied
Behind silent faces
the other toys
listen to the drum of envy
in every fragile chest
Steps behind, they come
bearing cracked and broken things
lay each down beside the one
count the missing pieces
soiled and ready
to be thrown away
No more little kisses
from tiny red mouths
open now in empty cries
More lie here now
than last we played
no names remain
for a pretty maid
no crown will set
on shattered brow
sleep sweet maids
you’re precious now

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 3/14/1994
For all survivors of any form of rape or abuse; you are not alone. Speak out. Find your path to healing.

Child sex trafficking rings are real and they exist in all countries of the world. These monsters use living children to make disgusting films and photos, to sell to other monsters. They use children to hurt other children, and the guilt and shame can kill. It will still exist… these children will still suffer… whether you choose to know it or not. Please don’t look away. Knowledge is power, power to save the lives of children.

http://www.asashesscatter.com
wrr@asashesscatter.com
@AsAshesScatter

Down the wood path
under loam and leaf
three thin branches lie
a crossroads for tattered ghosts
beneath a cradling sky
Curling in twig fingers
to pluck a slender chord again
this music softly swells, then goes
as stuffed on worm-kissed acorns
come a trio of staggering crows
Give the gift, unburdened be
brittle white they breathless wait
to recall they bear no breath
as wind slips down the mountainside
to bear them into death

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 11/28/2012
For all survivors of any form of rape or abuse; you are not alone. Speak out. Find your path to healing.

http://www.asashesscatter.com
wrr@asashesscatter.com
@AsAshesScatter