Life Lyrics ©2020
Her mind-numbing life
her relentless job
ringing up groceries
him sauntering up
slapping down a pack of gum
winking at her
with a bold brown eye
her blue eyes fluttering
him licking his lips
making his move
Metallic blue eyeliner
lips the color of a bruise
he smiles
thinking he knows her type
Now she’s gone and done it
caught his eye
she looks younger than she is
sweet youth, dewy-eyed
an object of desire and jealousy
vulnerable at times
but she is a keen observer
of sly grins and brown eyes
knows the pitfalls and potholes
fearless sometimes
most often desperate
He is not her dream
but he is here
wanting her
brown eyes
drawing her in
she’s been here before
on the losing end
He promises everything
gives her nothing
but a single drawer
and crumpled sheets
covers her with hot kisses
While she tastes
his lying breath
He wants more
always more of her
brown eyes slant
his lantern jaw tight
a curl of fists
She is caught
against a wall
biting her lip
Her hands shaking
she covers bruises
colored purple
applies makeup
fingers to swollen lips
painted red
She smooths the cheap
yellow dress he bought
listens for his steps
knows the odds
are against her
praying he’s forgotten
his black mood
with every beat of her heart
He sneers a grin
pulls at her
hands hard against
her blue veined skin
breathless she awaits
his snores
She’s saved cash
a fist full of crumpled green
enough to take her
somewhere, anywhere
away from him.
The grimy bus windows
fogged with gray rain
reflect a ghost
her backpack with
everything she owns
caught between her
muddied sneakers
the miles passing
with every beat of her heart.
Kathy Lauren Miller 
Wow. This poem tells the entire story of an abusive relationship in just a few short lines. Well done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Liz, thank you. I hesitated to put this up because of the nature of domestic violence, and didn’t want to bum anyone out, so I’m glad you liked it. :o)
LikeLiked by 2 people
You handled the sensitive subject matter with sensitivity and empathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heartbreaking and so creatively told. I could picture everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi KM, So glad you liked it. I thought a story told in prose would be interesting, though I hesitated in uploading as I didn’t want to bum people out…It started with a photo I saw and went from there… :o)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz said exactly what I was thinking. WOW!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lisa, I so appreciate your comment. It means so much to have people like a story, especially one in verse. A while back I saw a news story about domestic abuse. Later, I saw a photograph of a young woman, and from there the story just sort of wrote itself. Again, thank you for liking my story. I means so much. :o)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa, I just reviewed you page, Oh My…you wrote about Tampa and Clearwater? Wow!! I’m a Florida native who lived in Tampa for years. I’m so interested in both of your novels. Definitely on my TBR list.
LikeLiked by 1 person