Ten Pennies

Wounded, each in turn surrendered
  to the palpable
  deprivation of his company, her company
although the past held only losses and capitulation
and his belt or her tongue, it hurt. 
It burned. We bled.
    A hard cheek against a child’s kiss
They drove away and took with them our emotions
Kismet and karma - left on the side of the road.
Fallen into the tree lined, leaf covered wood
Of wary self-confidence and tentative steps
We froze and paused in development
   Separate in two piles of coin
Three for her
Seven for him 
Conservation of numbers 
preserving something in the face of change
   We led lives vying for approval
scorned for individuality and then…
 crawling back for breadcrumbs
 to wait and cleave and hope
   The severing of soul and heart
The slap and sting of divorce and time. 
  An always open wound.