Mer Girl

I ran from my house

That cannot contain me

From the man that I cannot keep

From my mother who haunts me

Even though she's gone

From my daughter that never sleeps

I ran from the noise and the silence

From the traffic on the streets

I ran to the treetops

I ran to the sky

out to the lake

into the rain

that matted my hair

And soaked my shoes and skin

Hid my tears, hid my fears

I ran to the forest

I ran to the trees

I ran and ran

I was looking for me

I ran past the churches

And the crooked old mailbox

Past the apple orchards

And the lady that never talks

Up into the hills

I ran to the cemetery

And held my breath

And thought about your death

I ran to the lake

Up into the hills

I ran and I ran

I'm looking there still

And I saw the crumbling tombstones

The forgotten names

I tasted the rain

I tasted my tears

I cursed the angels

I tasted my fears

And the ground gave way beneath my feet

And the earth took me in her arms

Leaves covered my face

Ants marched across my back

The black sky opened up

Blinding me

I ran to the forest

I ran to the trees

I ran and I ran

I was looking for me

I ran to the lakes

And up to the hill

I ran and I ran

I'm looking there still

And I smelt her burning flesh

Her rotting bones

Her decay

I ran and I ran

I'm still running today