she was equal parts
joy and sadness
darkness and light
hope and fear
held hands in
symbiotic step
laughing eyes would beam
as her dulcet voice danced
through the air
her smiling elation
infectious to those
close to her
but suddenly, birds of sorrow
could swoop and swirl around her,
to light upon her shoulders
life’s inequaties
and cruelties
her cross to bear
05/17/17