Secrets

she walks as if the world is at her feet

her laughter rings like all is well indeed

she flashes a smile at a passerby

stops and cuddles the puppy trotting by

waves at the gray haired man trimming the lush green fence

glances at a couple locked in passionate embrace

it's pretty vibrant.... for a village street

she listens to the crunch of the leaves underneath her feet

she feels the autumn wind blow through her hair

senses the great expectation in the atmosphere

thoughts of the future flash through her mind

settling, skipping then fleeting like butterflies

she turns the corner and the house comes into view,

and the heaviness settles with vigour anew

she slackens her pace-

dreading the loss of personal space,

with a final look she takes it all in

creating a scenic memory,

then she quietly lets herself inside ,

shutting the door ....leaving freedom outside.

her eyes meet a pair of menacing ones and she knows,

she'll need the scenic memory to deal with his pounding blows

.....and a lot more.