Thirteen Ways to Understand a Runaway

I
The train tracks spread infinitely,
And the runaway searches for meaning
On her path going no where.

II
I was trapped in a cell
Staring at the same four walls
That should be comforting.

III
My runaway glows in the moonlight.
Her strength is my muse.

IV
That man guides the runaway.
She’s lost.
The runaway follows that man.
She’s lost.

V
The runaway hears but never listens,
She speaks but never talks,
She contemplates without thinking,
Speechless, indifferent, digression.

VI
The little girl I once knew,
Hides with intent to return
But the runaway flies
Like a once-caged bird.
She cries,
But shows no remorse.
She is certain.

VII
O mothers of virtue,
Why must all brides be dressed in white?
Your runaways are unique.
Does the red of their robes
Not appeal to your eyes?

VIII
I know there are paths to success,
And paths to destruction
But the runaway knows
The journey to both
Are worth taking.

IX
When the runaway left,
She left a void.
One of many.

X
When the runaway returned,
Temporary as it may have been,
Some rejoiced in her absence,
While others sulked in the loneliness.

XI
The hours become days,
And time is displaced
Wandering in despondence
He fears for her,
Although the runaway
Is truly well.

XII
The streets are silent.
The runaway must be crying.

XIII
The hunger was nourishing,
The sadness was strengthening,
And the trials were lessons.
The runaway knew,
Freedom beckoned her.