frayed soul in dilapidated presence
do not turn self into secret sorrow
at dusk
the onset of insidious
the shifting dark
those unconscious noises
sharp words
then followed by detrimental sophistry
insults will not pass
chased and harried
thoughts here, anxious
and headaches thundering
below the pain of human love
your changing face
untapped spirit of true intelligent grace
where you stand
to make a defensive offense
feet are firm
and not on shifting sand