Stone Angel

No one knows my name here, I'm a stranger in this town
So no one talks behind my back, there's nothing they can say
I am safe as a disguise, they can't touch me
So when footsteps fall behind me I do not run away
"What's your name," he says and I say, "Sarah"
Trying out the sound
"From around here?"
I say, "No, just passing through this town"
"Well, walk with me a while then, let me show you around"

He leads me through the neighborhoods, past the perfect lawns
Past the high fences where watchdogs wait
Past the school, the courthouse, county jail
The old church, through the churchyard gate
And we walk between the stones, stop at an open grave
And I throw in all my history, throw in my old name
And the sticks of my secrets, the stones of my shame

Down the path to the river, there he pulls me to him
And there we kiss
And I trust he will not ask about the bruise on my shoulder
Or the scars on my wrist
Or the chances I've taken
The chances I've missed

How long will you run? How far will you go?
How fast does your heart beat when you're frightened by your need?
I turn away, but he holds my sleeve so tight it tears
But it does not bleed
And I run from him then, I run feverish and hard
Up the hill from the river, through the gate to the churchyard
Just as a small stone angel lifts her little white arms

©1998 Annie Gallup