Distance

from a different life
the passing of an old friend
rests on my shoulders
–
moonrise-
a silver wind
sways the curtains

waiting on my turn-
step by step moving forward
ever so slowly
–
traffic-
another day
turns to night

the black charred remnants
of forty years of marriage
smolder between us
–
a fallen tree-
reduced
to ash

rooted to the ground
frozen, my mind replaying
one moment in time
–
blinding sun-
the city street
unnaturally quiet

breathless in the rain-
the greyhound bus pulls away
but you’re not on it
–
a cold rain-
my forehead
on the window

champagne glass in hand-
ignoring the obvious
we toast our future
–
midnight sun-
a polar bear prowls
the city streets

on my mantlepiece
rest all the pieces of you
finally at peace
–
love letters-
ashes of
old flames

shrinking from the light
blended into the shadows
I’m invisible
–
dusk-
black clouds
rise from the earth

the walk to the car-
turning my jacket collar
up against the wind
–
aging-
cold breath
on my neck

seeking inner peace
yearning to quench the darkness
that burns in my soul
–
wildfires-
a cold late
autumn rain