Nevermore
 

          a raven’s call
          at dusk . . .
          this yearning

                    another layer
                    of black eyeliner

          the mask
          she puts on
          to face the world

                    diary pages —
                    so much ink to cover
                    an old tattoo

          her debutante gown
          in the donation bag

                    part of the shadow
                    steps into the night
                    a nightingale’s song

• • •

Italic links are by Julie Schwerin
Non-italic links are by Angela Terry