Fae Wiedenhoeft
Shell & Rawhide

In the far, far out

between sea and land

Where critters run wild

beyond the rule of man

Nothing is simple

in ways of

dark and light

Where the air hangs heavy

like a truth none can bear

In an old wooden shack

lived the one with raven hair

She knew of wings

of loss

and changing tides

Marsh girl, shell and rawhide

—

He was letterman sweater-ed

when he saw her that day

In the old oak’s shadow

where she tried to hide away

From the world unknown

came a smile and hello

she bid her time

In the wild blossom’s bloom

in the charming summer heat

He told her that he loved her

with her, he was complete

From the sunset tower

flew a song of desire

She gave her heart

Worlds collide, shell and rawhide

—

He told her he would marry her

but it would take some time

She learned he’d wed another

dressed in pearls and lace and lies

She screamed a raging storm

For all she’d ever loved was

torn away

She recalled the smell of bourbon

the hint of gasoline,

Her father’s harsh words, a struggle,

slap – her mother’s scream

Oh, the mantis will pray

as the fireflies sway

at dark moonrise

Who decides the time to die?

—

Fog holds low

like secrets lost in sand

His body, cold as clay, was found

where once he took her hand

The necklace that he wore

a gift of love she swore

lost like a dream

They tried her for his murder

but they couldn’t prove it true

For she was just a marsh girl

quiet, small yet clever too

Light is not simple

and dark is a disguise

Cover your tracks

Cover your lies

Just a shell and strand of rawhide