I was trying to end it
And still be friends.
Unlike my usual operating procedure
Which is to pick a big fight
And never speak to the lady again,
Or at least for a year or two.
The last time I saw her in person,
Her cat had just died.
She had been up all night crying.
I hugged her because of the cat?
I spoke to her by phone while I was at work.
She was on a bus headed from Rapid City to Chicago.
At the end of a brief and uninformative conversation I said,
“I love you” before I hung up.
Out of habit?
Several days later she sent me an e-mail
Which was a series of pictures
From the National Geographic.
There was no explanation
Or text to accompany the pictures
Which were of various animals.
I have no idea what this meant.
I went to the signing
That caused the house we had lived in
To be sold.
She had been there before me.
The escrow agent had taken a photocopy of her ID.
I could see it in the packet of papers.
It was upside down.
Still she looked beautiful to me.
I have felt blue for two weeks now
Waking up each morning
With that black empty feeling in my stomach
And a bunch of impossible fantasies in my head.
I think I would feel better now
If we had just had
That big fight.
Other wise it is just too confusing
Author notes
Still thinking about this woman three years later 
A contest entry
- Ever had an idea for a piece, but couldn't find a contest to fit your idea? by Kathraina.
750 points, ended August 17, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Your life in poetry by catstar.
400 points, ended September 28, 55 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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*sigh*... its nice.. i have that situation at this moment.
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Relationship break-ups are always difficult. A fight does indeed make a clear end of something and in this case you sound like it would be preferable. I like this. Its clear and tells a very sad story. Thank you for sharing and entering my contest. Good luck.
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Oh my, very strong emotions exhibited in this piece.
Vivid imagery and great flow throughout.
I enjoyed this write, it really reached out and grabbed my heart.
Bravo and thank you for entering
♥ Kate -
Three years? Well, that's serious stuff. You describe the feelings and happenings in a vivid, readable sort of way.
To fight or not to fight? It's hard for me to say. Fighting shows more passion. Maybe you had been through that.
Anyway, good poem.
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were the National Geographic animals having sex? (kidding)
Well, musta been the real thing is all I can think. You don't feel blue for two weeks or two years otherwise. You're happy to be moving on.
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breakups are hard and can take some time to get over. this is very revealing and realistic. in it's simplicity it tells a very ordinary story but does so in an extraordinary voice. the down to earth feel of this is it's best appeal. my best to you in the contest.
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small details
holds its flow
I enjoyed the read
good story
had that real life feel to it,
so I’m not gonna ask
the obvious next question
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