the hope of unknowing

my young friend

so sad and angry

hiding behind a mask
a painted smile
on a clown’s long face
empty eyes stare

drawing me close

piercing my consciousness

neon lights flash
illuminate the night
behind you so bright
cars speed by
on the busy boulevard
sounds in the night
burning rubber
honking horns
yet all I can hear is
the silence 

crash
into the emptiness
of your tender years
i feel your pain
stabbing my heart

bleeding into my soul
each droplet 

splash
into the darkness

that holds the hope

of unknowing

© 2009 Cindy Foster Serio