Now, Not Then

Now as I stand Staring into the emptiness, A scroll of what was Unrolls itself, The pain, the agony And the silent sighs Of an enduring heart. What imminent danger lay in wait? Neither illness nor age No malignant malady, Perhaps a hard word From one of her kins Wrought havoc in her mind, A heart that knew only to feel And feel deeply for others Was thus stilled.