I Flee When I See Them Coming & Purgatory Poem by Margaret Alice

I Flee When...

Why do some people insist on looking
sphinx-like without smile, no approval,
wearing a dead-pan expression that
refuses to light up their eyes?

It makes me worry, what terrible tragedy
or dire disapproval is lurking behind
that hard, cold mask on their face – do
they know how guilty it makes me feel

As if they must know of my many sins and
transgressions, being sincerely disappointed
in me? Whatever the case, I flee when
I see them coming…


She Forges Her Life In Purgatory

Bit by bit the girl is stripped
of all she held so dear: Her
mind, her thoughts, her life
of sorts, her hopes and
dreams

An illusion to her is life, fluctuating
between all she eats and feels; life
a painful game of loss and trust,
of make-believe in order
to survive

She puts her trust in all the good
she sees, but bodily pain strips
her trust away nearly every day,
she picks up the pieces
afterwards

Puts her life together again,
reconstructing her faith as best
she can – she can’t experience
the goodness in which she
believes

Being a dreamer by chance
she reconstructs her dreams,
whenever pain destroys her
mind, she studies the lessons
that help her to find

Meaning in pain and strife
repeating Ecclesiastes at least
once a day; she forges her life in
purgatory, fighting for short-lived
victories

She knows tomorrow will bring
unexpected love also, she holds
on to the life she leads, knowing
tomorrow’s joy will
cover

The sorrows of today!