Caroline Cries

Caroline--
She's holding onto a small hand
And feeling it grow damp with sweat
She thinks she likes it

And she's looking down into dark eyes
Wiping away salty tears with the back
Of her pointer and middle fingers.
She knows these tears are salty because she raises her
Fingers to her lips to taste the dogged drops

That small hand grasps at dear Caroline
Pulling her down to a young one's height
To her hands and knees
Fighting arms wrapping and gripping about her neck
Holding Caroline and refusing to let her go

Her eyes release an ocean
Miss Caroline has no words
Just the sharp sword she's be working in her chest
Just the thick rope wrapped around her neck
She is strangled by a child-like fear,
An intransigent manacle
That refuses to let her go.