Still
as stone she sat and
did not move and did not speak whose
eyes were bleak
whose mouth was firm whose
face was pale.
Esme(e)'s
dark hair fell to her collar.
Esme(e)'s
strong hands were before her on the desk cupped
loosely they were forgotten, their endeavors
forgotten.
Esme(e)
had traveled inward.
Sought
questions for which there were no answers.
Esme(e)
raveled what was not wove and found all strength,
perception, quickness
misplaced, found pillars
of cognition fallen.
Found
mercy fled.