Black coal pride
Stealing life
Unable to
Let it ride
Gathered moss
Red brick walls
Lonely stone
Imprisoned
Time erodes
Stripped, barren
Looking back
Foolish hides
Rents taken
Spent regret
No return
Statuette
Unrested
Demons game
In due time
Sentencing
Sweet release
A steep price
Admit one
Shallow grave
***
When he came to get you
We didn’t understand
Everybody told us
It was part of his plan
The good ones go early
We had to let you go
Angels go to Heaven
Gentle wings took her soul
They never truly leave us
He asks us to believe
Our tears fill the rivers
Our voices sing his praise
We pray to make us stronger
As we stand beside her grave
Dear Lord I need an answer
As we try to be brave
Tell it to my mama
Who cries for her each night
I miss my baby sister
I need to know she’s fine
Our perfect little Rose
So far her heart has roamed
On bended knee I pray
Please send our angel home
***
I am laid to bare
Legs spread uncaring
Steal my breath my dear
In between buildings
An alley of bins
Your dreams filled sweetly
Taking your pieces
All my dignity
Splayed upon the streets
Never shall I be
Running on empty
Dear girl set me free
Call my mother please
Should she recognize
Fall to her knees, cries
Send for my father
Why do I bother
Uncaring you see
I am laid to bare
Passerby’s gawking
Looking intently
At this faceless girl
Do you wonder if
Life was far too much
Sending her backwards
Spiralling empty
No one fucking cares
She’s dead in the streets
***