fine rhymes

1.
when you left me
hallowed and empty in bed
took the breath from me,
left me pacing around the house
we built and then-

when you left me by the mailbox
waiting for your letter-
when even the mailman knew better
and didn’t hope, but i knew.
and when you left me that morning
and when you left me in shambles.

ridiculous.

2.
last night you spoke of being gone
before the end of spring
and i thought, how will i get along
without you among, other things.

perhaps it was my silence that
threw you. i didn’t speak
because i knew i couldn’t be
in compliance that something
that kept you and i apart.

and though this expression is more
than just an, an art
i keep saying this in the only way i know how,
if you must take it as an artist plea.
to you, from me.

3.
yet, after you are gone
you will know me and somehow
you will recognize the what used
to lie inside my eyes
those smooth lines you used to touch,
the lines that made my face.
4.
you’ll recognize my flinch at your embrace-

you spoke of being gone
my southern boy child while
the music from our record
played that song, our song,

but you will be gone by
the end of spring.

so what am i to do without you
among, other things.

5.
you’ll wonder how it
would be different had
july spread it’s wings.

how it would have changed
your heart to sit with me
and sing the song we sing.
had our adventure
become another summer fling

i see you and i separated
by one last goodbye. don’t you
know what you’ve done! what
you will do-
won’t you wonder

what i could have been for you?

6.
and i hope these are the
questions you ask, dear.
i hope these are the
things you fear, love.
perhaps, my tears
we what you had not thought of.
i hope.
never less; it’s probably better i don’t.