Is She More Loving?

by Cheryl Merrick
If she puts others' wants,
  before her needs?

If she constantly exhausts herself,
  because her family needs her?

If she neglects her health,
  because "there is simply too much to do"?

If she hovers over her children
  doing every little thing for them?

Unseen

by Cheryl Merrick

As beauty that is unseen
in a vision-less world,
lies love in a heart that knows
only competition.
Frightened people huddle and scurry,
driven by a fear that never ceases;
“If I don’t control others, they will control me!”.
The fear escalates.
In a desperate effort to protect the fragile soul,
all weapons are employed:
intimidation and guilt,
manipulation and denial.