Warrior

She’d left the room

            in a whirl

a dusty vermillion cloud

behind

I took her place

Steadfast, I had hoped, but

            still,

wavering

Only sick people had to whisper.

Every word that falls from

the mouth

is a silver spoon lost

Focusing on body

This pain, a cold, steady

This pain, spasmodically,

            inside

She’d left the room in

a whirl

It left me dizzy

and

            Separate

She took my breath

It took the strength of

a warrior

            gutted and blood smeared

            knife drawn and fighting