Through ©2000 Richard March And as she stands she’s staring blankly out her window No thought of yesterday, or any time before Her past is over now, and now is where she’s living Her memories buried deep Long forgotten wars She says her name as if it’s newly given to her The ones who took her in would never do her harm Still she jumps when they reach out to hold her She’s never had Such loving arms They give her time and space, whatever that will help her She’s grateful, but they wouldn’t understand She needs someone who’s made it through the battle Who’s learned to fight Who saw the light And then one morning as she’s sitting on her doorstep A woman moving in upstairs She asked for help, and they started talking “I know your pain. You can start again” Took a woman twice her age Living mirror of a river crossed, healed rage She screams “It never leaves” Woman holds her and agrees It’s okay Getting over this, never meant getting away How did you decide I just got tired, of the high barbed wire Smothered fires Where’d you start With a wounded heart In a lonely room Much like you Talking hours at a time Woman watches her unwind praying this girl will unbind Look inside herself and find No magic cure It’s just a long, slow learn Step by step Finding your own grip She is a woman now and sitting on her doorstep There is a girl who lives upstairs.