Sadness took me
in her arms.
She exhaled warm breath
into my face –
scent of bitter dandelion.
Her fingers ran
through my hair,
tangling.
Her velvet lips
kissed away
my tears.
Throughout the ebony
cloud of night
she held me close.
But as day broke
I gently pushed her
to arm’s length
and slowly stepped away.
-published The Mindful Phoenix Review, Vol II-Reclaimed, October 2023
Renee Butner 