there is sadness in her eyes now
an innocence lost
beaten by indignity and callous
misunderstanding
the arrows of life
wound with impunity
Cupid’s bloody bow
is strung with a million hearts
wisdom bought at a terrible price
and love laid to rest
on the river of Time.


(First published in Emotions, Vol.2, Issue 4, Apr.1999; The Poet's Porch, Aug.2001)