Call to Arms

Her fear of change has caused a change
More deeply felt than any fear.
Gulf deep the range, the fractured calm
Of pain, of rage, of tear.
And so one must endure the sorrow that
Built-on year on year.
And wipe the smile of careless youth
With frown and outlook drear.

New lovers pass like painted masks
Distract, entice, discard.
Money sifts through workman's hands,
Bits of coin and card.
Day and night exhaust her both,
The goose-down pillow hard.
Nothing's changed for those around,
Just in this private yard.

Cold winds blast among old trees,
With Wintry Sun from oxblood skies.
New clothes and job and home
Laid on like some disguise.
Crawling thence at 2am
When joyous sing her lies,
She waits in deafness for her heart
In song once more to rise.