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Sidelines The wedding was outdoors. The sun was butter yellow and warmed Anika's tan skin. She stood close to the punch table and watched the marital couple turn in slow, closed circles on the flattened patch of grass in the meadow. Her pale, sky blue dress fluttered against her knees and she shuddered against the uncomfortableness. Smoothing the soft, too-thin fabric, Anika crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her bare upper arms. Tough fingers brushed the prominent, ugly scar on her upper arm; a flare of hatred not only for the dress but for the person who would dare force her to wear it burned to life in her. Her pinched face watched

By my brother I was burned by my lover I was spurned Too many people make me choke Got a new job and I'm still broke Before it all began, grand plans were laid A fresh start A new start A blank canvas upon which I could be remade But ill winds They did blow Storms rumbled on the event's horizon Blindly, gayly, I welcomed them in Lightning cackled and pierced my heart Severing it from all else within The cold sank deep into my bones Ruined my family and wrecked my home My eyes went red My limbs went limp My heart went ghost And I lost my soul The wound was fatal, I'm here still bleeding I bloomed too late, cold killed the seedling Betraye