Late one night
a knock came, brought
by an ex's friend.
I'd told her that day
it was over
and fighting tears
(her's, not mine)
I stuck by it.
Now her friend stands
telling me
she disappeared
for an hour or more.
2AM
I grabbed my
shoes
and started out.
Phone calls all unanswered,
and shouts as well,
ringing in warm air
off cold brick faces
down alleys,
across town.
For twenty minutes
I went,
until slumped
in a vacant lot
she lay before my eyes.
Not peaceful,
no,
but blank of face,
swiping when I came near.
"You hate me",
she'd scream,
sparking words
hoping to catch
but meeting only stone
in my eyes.
"No",
and it was over.
One word,
I left it alone,
clutching her wrists
until all her feral instincts
let go.
Stumbling back
she cried
and I swore,
half carrying her
each step
until she was safely home.
Like a child
I undressed her
and laid her in bed,
wrapped in blankets,
safe from the world
until morning
pierced the curtains.
"You love me,"
she whimpered.
"Yes",
and I left,
eyes dry
and face cold.
It was still over
by my accord.
Too many fits,
too many scares,
and stress beyond reprieve.
Back home,
with keys in hand,
I couldn't turn the knob.
Only fours hours
before I
was to wake,
I slid down,
back to the wall
and cried.
A contest entry
- tell me the pain/pleasure of your life. by black-phenoqu.
995 points, ended July 17, 69 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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This is excellent.
Sadly real and beautiful with imagery that left me feeling as if I was watching this, but sadly, I can relate to it...People can sometimes drain us and even when it is over, no matter how brave we try to be, the heart is stronger than the ,mind.
Such a powerful piece this is...
Lynda
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Thank you very much for the compliment. I'm glad this story speaks to you so clearly and strongly.
Dennis
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wow. this is good.
who are you in the relationship? -
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This happened when I was in the middle of a long relationship with a girl that had schizophrenia and manic-depression. This is the story of what happened the day I broke up with her. It was hard to do, because I still loved her, but the situation was really difficult. She and I are still good friends, but the pain and fear of having to craft a relationship around fits like the one described above made it impossible to last. It isn't so much a current story, but the whole experience has really defined a lot of things in my life since then.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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