my dream was that we'd move away together
perhaps live in a modest house by the ocean
you would spend the days making art
and at night we would perhaps listen to music
and write poetry together
i knew there would be problems
but i thought if we loved each other enough
held each other tight enough
the problems wouldn't matter so much
then something fundamental changed
and a stranger now stands behind your eyes
someone who regrets our lovemaking
and chides me for apologetic scenes
while i like a withered leaf am left cold and alone
remembering the softness of your smile
like the high green warmth of summer
feeling the pain a leaf must feel in autumn
as the wind grows colder
and the sky goes from clear blue to cloudy gray
Not a particularly deep poem, or clever poem, or even original poem, but it nevertheless has the merits of clarity, simplicity, genuine feeling and honest craftsmanship.
Submission Name: PIPE DREAMS
