The Other Heather

is what we called you -
from a distance this morning
I thought I saw you in her

she walked towards me pigeon-toed tough, 
her face turned, wrists circled in bracelets
as she exhaled the smoke from her cigarette
with a snarl, more bark than bite

I imagined short, abused nails,
a home-executed tattoo, and eyes
like Bette, your karoke song

as her shadow grew long
against the morning yours
grew tall across my mind 

the evening we said goodbye 
you assured me that every
thing was fine but
I couldn't stop crying
thankful hopeful fearful

helpless from any distance
I cannot not worry 
that everything you create
disintegrates beneath the weight
of a mind too brutal for your loveliness,
you the least unworthy of what it's done to you 

foolishly, I've always wanted to save you
but can only love you from a distance
even if you are a stranger walking towards me