SADNESS AT SEVEN

The day grew heavy
and my heart beat loudly
in my chest.
It sounded like the
lonely ticking
of Aunt Wilma’s clock.
Winter colors were vivid
inside my long,
late afternoon shadow.
Fear and dread
became the shadow.
I wanted to
step out of myself.
To be lifted by God,
and rescued
from a burden so great.

Janet Brice Parker