lone again in sharp drawn breath

of wind and lonely sky

of haunted umber burnt and bred

with falls that burst and dry

shaken twice- though never disarmed

a brief but long learned way

of tearful moment tried and dead

not black and white! but- gray.

walk with armor straight and tall

hide the ugly , tried and true

and pocketed hand outstretched in shroud-

still waits in tears for you.