Violeta Noir

Before the beard, before the years
before the weight of hidden fears
a little boy with frightened eyes
learned love could quiet storms inside

A broken heart became his guide
he searched for somewhere safe to hide
when kindness reached with gentle hands
he built his home on borrowed land

She saw the places no one knew
the silent ache that only grew
he thanked her warmth and took her grace
yet never left the hiding place

But wounds ignored do not grow still
they wander where they always will
one borrowed kiss, one stranger’s smile
then one more choice to stay awhile

He learned that comfort could be found
without first standing on firm ground
not cruel by nature nor by plan
just still becoming, not yet a man

He wore his sorrow like a thread
through every blanket, every bed
each season whispered, “You’ll be whole”
still no one asked him, “What about your soul?”

Years gathered quietly overhead
promises spoken, a marriage made
the house stood firm for all to see
though cracks ran deep beneath belief

He often asked, “Why does she stay?”
as though he had no choice to make
yet every dawn that passed unnamed
was still a choice, though never claimed

A son now waits with borrowed eyes
too young to learn a man’s disguise
the little boy must end somewhere
a father waits beyond that prayer

The little boy must end somewhere.