Age

Emptiness

nothing left at home
save the old chair and sofa
that I brought with me
–
vacant memories-
cobwebs cling
to empty shelves

another sunset-
the lives I’ve lived and died in
hopes of meeting you
–
falling snow-
the guttering flame
turns to smoke

thin fringes of white
ring the brow of the mountain
furrowed by the past
–
white cliffs-
the sun glints
off the sea spray

old invitations-
coffee’s brewed in the kitchen
if you’d ever show
–
rising steam-
cozy dreams
of coffee shops

blackbirds in the trees-
pebbles left on your headstone
in remembrance
–
knees in the soft earth-
I clear away
the weeds and leaves

another meeting-
I know your failings so well
as I do my own
–
rain slicked neon-
another club soda
graces my glass

knelt down before you-
my voice offered as a sign
of my devotion
–
scorched copper sky-
blood I’ve spilled
on your alter

reading into my
masochistic tendencies-
our old love letters
–
grimy windows-
a metal fan
stirs the air

chocolate ice cream
slowly melting in the heat
of the summer sun
–
amber skies-
an ice cream truck
around the corner

a weathered rowboat-
mooring line gently slapping
up against the dock
–
children jumping
from the pier-
lakeside