Broken

The brave face is a charade.
Quick step with resolve.
Dark sunglasses, tight jaw.
Not waiting for the change at the checkout.
Shaking hands, and trembling lip.
Three inches deep,
Instant coffee shaken into her cup.
And a packet of cigarettes,
Burnt into smoke rings,
Go up her nose.

He has broken her.

Abuse

It can be so subtle,
And the outside observer may not pick it.
They see the charm, politeness,
And nothing is too much trouble.
The trying too hard,
Immodestly feigning modesty
All hallmarks of  insecurity,
So easily overlooked.
The lovely family,
And such a nice guy.
His kids seem a little shy though.

But then there is the fuse,
So short.
The sudden blast,
When the pressure of the performance,
And the lack of power to completely control the situation,
 Is too much.
And over such a little thing.
Speculate what may happen when the 'thing',
Is not so little.

Missing Someone

Not such a heavy weight,
More a soft tugging,
Within the cavity of your chest.
A feeling of concern,
And hope too,
That things are going well.
When your mind drifts to their image.
And you can sense them.
But you cannot see them face to face,
To be reassured.
It is whispered,
Not all encompassing.
Life's responsibilities drown it out.
But it still comes,
In the quiet moments,
The anxiety,
For those you care for,
Who are absent.