This new girl smiles with eyes quite flirtatious

Every expression inviting gestures proposing greet

My mind advising and whispering words gracious

Approach with confidence to sweep her off her feet

 

In times gone by this was a simple task

But our recollection reverberates old terror

My active amygdala rips my confident mask

And now this new smile seems another error

 

It has been a year since I last saw your face

But haunted memories still fill me with fear

A chance encounter perhaps a tale of disgrace

The nightmare’s venom that has brought me here

 

You are the serpent that lost me the garden

Who with one lie my peace of mind took away

Poison creeping through my veins as my heart did harden

My old content countenance now paralyzing fear’s display

 

Nothing’s gained from this memory but deepening distress

And I’ve wished a thousand times to heaven to let me forget

To live life again and not to pain regress

Make my smile bright delight not a sad silhouette

 

I may never recover or trust after this trauma

Though in my life I’ve overcome all manner of adversity

Triumphed over distress and dismissed lesser drama

But nothing compares to this anniversary