Arrangements

My sister was crying,

shattered

by words and threats thrown at her.

I said

why are you still with him?

She said

he needs me,

I’m helping him.

The missing girl

develops Stockholm Syndrome

for her captor

because affection

is far less exhausting

than fear.

Picked perennial flowers will

always wilt.

If they are allowed to grow

they’ll visit each year,

wearing bright dresses,

pleased to be out of

an arrangement.

This poem is part of a series and will be in a compilation. This is newer work and takes on a different tone and style than work I have done in the past.