A golden moment

(Photo by Sylvia Kirkwood)


A dark world,
killings,
bombings of innocents,
because
they look different
and speak odd.....
Cover the face,
they'd demand,
the body too;
lest lashes be
in your future,
publicly....




And one day,
she ran,
hiding,
trembling,
reaching
for another shore.

She shudders
at the memory,
terrified,
her long hair
stiff,
standing on edge...

But she is now safe,
amidst the green
pines, cones,
and a warm fireplace.
She pulls
the blinds open,
a sliver of light,
rests on her face,
and she takes
a deep, thankful
breath,
looking
through her tresses,
with hope,
on the sun,
coming up,
to brighten
a new day,
again....