walking away

I saw her walking away that day.

It was just the way a storm leaves you, 

but finds you missing the rain.

Her hair fell on one shoulder

and I could see 

she still wore that sapphire necklace

I once bought her

to match the endless sky 

I used to love watching 

in her eyes.

I remember she once gave me

the kind of words that left me

drunk, and teary-eyed.

A jazzy buzz would grab my heart,

and there was dancing

and there were marching bands

with smooth percussion and steady beats 

that would beat,

beat,

beat,

in the lushest shades of the crimson tides

flooding through my heart.

Those thoughts were yesterday’s song,

and I can still sing it, 

but it doesn’t sound the same.

I can still hear that marching band 

but it’s so far away it sounds more like 

the dust that blows around in my empty chest.

And I’m not dancing anymore 

because my knees keep buckling under her name.

Now all I have are the tattered chapters

of a book I used to write my grandest dreams in.

Its pages are old and worn,

and some of these pages keep falling out,

but I can’t seem to throw this book away. 

The truth is that I keep wanting to 

read the very last chapter.

Though, I now understand that I’ll never write it.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of the very best messages of heartbreak I've read in a long time. Usually those who write about heartbreak are unable to turn the pain into something artful & heartfelt, as you've done here. I love the examples of things remembered, as I also love your use of metaphor & vibrant word choices to convey imagery for all the senses to behold. Great job! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dionysian Gnostic]

Heartbreak can inspire many things. I find that writing about it affords me a mercifully cathartic effect in that I feel somehow relieved of its power. I appreciate you stopping by to read and share your thoughts on it.

[Emily B]

a friend tucked this in her reading list and I shamelessly followed. She has good taste in poets. Looking forward to reading more of you.

[Dionysian Gnostic]

Thank you for shamelessly following. I'm happy to share my memories both crushing and uplifting.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

endings happen before we can write them...they leave before we can finish the poem, the fable.
this punches us in the gut...you write such strong poems...one suggestion would be to leave out the description of it...makes it too personal to the writer...and we want the reader to relate in his or her own way..so that the poem is universal and we are not steered in a certain direction...
just a thought...
j.

[Dionysian Gnostic]

I think you make a fair point. I've been told that a lot of my poetry is rather glum and that people would rather read about fluffy bunnies and playful pups. With that in mind I felt some responsibility to warn people about some of my less jovial writing. I may just take your advice though and let them step into the dark minefields of my poetry unknowingly. :) Thanks for your input.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

All of life and love becomes ashes. We try to hold them in our hands but they keep falling through our fingers and are blown by the winds of time. Eventually, they will fade into the distance a memory nevermore. Sad, poignant, and true ... loss leaves us empty where love once filled our souls.