Once, she had loved him

with a despl erate burning heart

now, nothingness baked off in waves.

Once, she had trusted him

capable of believing his lies, innuendo

as something more than just charade.

Too often, she had cried hot tears

broken promises of love and devotion

until the next foray into a world of selfishness.

He, her love, her husband, her life

had forgotten her power, stripped from her

by his rejection and dismissive-ness.

She threw the bag over her shoulder

the door, the car, the driveway appealing

as she left him in his dark and dangerous existence.

Once, she had loved him eternally

now, she simply felt the residue of atomic shadows

burned forever upon the ground in her soul.