A story heard that must be told. I've taken on HIS sorrow as if it was mine. In reality I thank God this is not my life.


THE ENDING TIME


Seven o'clock.

Morning again! Must get up.
Big day today. Not a welcomed day though.
Who'd ever have thought this could be:
This day would come... could come?

Nine.

Coffee'd up and cases packed.
Just some space ready in my old rucksack
for the final fragments I'll take:
Bequeathed. Allowed. Given.

Ten.

The doorbell rings. It is her.
I fill her waiting trunk with my cases.
We are dancing around our loss -
My loss, her beginning.

Ten-thirty.

Reluctant, I climb the stairs
one last time - and I'm greeted by our two
fluffy feline purring babies
who slide against my legs.

Ten-forty.

I rise from the loving cats
and wipe away streaming tears on my sleeves.
My wife wraps her arms around me
and plants a kiss ckeekward.

Ten-forty-five.

I tuck the last two photos
in my rucksack, and through reluctant eyes
I look around at what was ours.
She says, 'It's time we left.'

Ten-fifty.

I bravely leave our flat for
one final sorrowful time. She drives me -
to the airport, from where I'll fly
away from married life.

Eleven.

Silence reigns inside her car
maintaining our amicability
it's best to gulp back my sorrow.
Leave - because I love her.

Eleven-thirty.

She holds my hand one last time,
gives it a gentle squeeze while looking down
at the floor, gets back in the Prius;
slinks into the haze of cars.

Twelve-ten.

In my seat: Row 3, window.
Climbing towards fresh white clouds of hope.
Below, the grey pain of betrayal -
being dumped for some new guy.

Two-twenty.

I'm a half-hour from parents,
Who'll be waiting at the terminal.
Back home to those who still love me,
and, thank God, always will.


© Griffonner 2021




Poetry by Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 184 times
Written on 2021-12-23 at 10:37

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F.i.in.e Moods The PoetBay support member heart!
Oh this is so convincingly sore! The format you're using to present this poor guy's day really adds to that dragging out feeling of a very unpleasant moment. Slow motion recreation, of sorts. The descriptions of leaving the wife, the cats, the possessions, and lastly the home really make you feel the great loss that is unfolding that day. All very effective, with a most poignant view of such a reality. Very well written, thanks.
2022-04-16


one trick pony The PoetBay support member heart!
The wife's niceties make it that much harder, I would think.
2021-12-24


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
A sad tale told well. My own experiences tell me that the details ring true.
2021-12-23


AFRODITE STATHI
This is so greatly written!!!Bravo!!!
2021-12-23