Our Tale

He was back.
mysterious
hovering at the edge
conscientious
she watched,
he was too far away
prepared herself for the inevitable fast exit.
But much to her surprise,
he came out
took a few tentative steps
coaxing
her heart,

Difficult to imagine
the kind of thing
a woman
ought to be
a peek
seemed to
leave a place for her
beside him.

his posture
his focus
kept a close eye
as if he was prepared to bold at the slightest
provocation.
however
The tense lines of his shoulders eased
she was grateful

she moved
With a lighter heart,
the next step
emerged
she waved
edged closer
drew near.
but he kept his distance.
His gaze flickered
she held her breath

She paused
looked down
footprints
showed the treads of
a tough
cocky stance
pointed directly at the door
She held her breath.
No turning back.

under the cover of darkness
raised both hands
laughed and hoped
awkward and iffy.
leaned in
glancing
too unreliable
turned away
melting smile on his lips.

believe
for me,
believe
the truth.
about us,
She hesitated.
anything more,
just the tiniest insight
into how much this meant
she would be hurt all the more
ended
nothing more to offer
silent.
She said nothing.

oh, the plans we had
and then…
realized
Suddenly
conflict became clearer
she wondered,
expected
she realized in that instant,
giving was the only
teeth-gritting obedience
to submit freely from the heart.
imagine
a new insight into
loving

he tried
only
she shot back.
he got the idea
unfair
though,
freeing
probably saved
the faded color photograph
The one
He’d missed her.

the objective
trying to remember
his hands
always dreamt of
just the two-
hand on his
his attention

should have seen that coming
would have
taken
her hands in his,
as though they were alone
aiming to
do more, be more.

definitely going on
shaking forlorn
every
slip back
wanted
always
hadn’t really needed
pretended
for the benefit of
today

a desperate hunger for consolation
weeping
sobs.
murmured
soothing words of comfort.
the grief
was
riveted
with a jolt
never
discerned
All at once a memory
final

life,
long, lonely years
simply hungry for human
contact.
deep in her heart
time to say goodbye…
empty

She’d
had
enough
In the end,
Too bad God wasn’t listening.