Garden Escape

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The dream broke
like a prodigal sun
on a startled winter evening
causing him to squint
blinking away happiness
like sand in the eyes of love

you were there
the dismissive femme fatale
in this final edit

and there was also
a dupe
an easy mark

you took his cues
took his keys
took his shoes
you took your leave
and took his heart
you took him apart

you took him for a fool

it wasn’t you didn’t want him
you said
you simply saw yourself
in a different movie
with a different ending

one that saw you
leave the casino floor
quietly alone
through the garden
alive with the fragrance of roses
and the joys of the lilly

and you thought “I’d like, too,
to plant the sweet alyssum
that smells like honey
and peace”

and in this peaceful quiet
there would be
no long farewells
no broken hearts
at least
not yours

and the abandoned man
in the leather chair
had my face

had no expectations
made no demands
held you responsible
for nothing
nothing

you’d rolled the dice
knowing the bones was loaded
jackpot
you’d won

from the garden
you reentered
by the cashier’s windows
collected your winnings

just then
a night lark sang
and a silver tear
fell hard as steel
from my crystal’d cheek
which you collected in a sterling box
to toss into the sea
for you had no need for tears
no need

so you climbed the winding stairs
silk purse in hand
my heart in your pocket
to place it at midnight
on your balcony rail
to watch it wither in the moonlight

I had no need for it
now
nor did you
any longer

nor most certainly
did you

simply no need

*
rob kistner © 2022

More poetry at: dVerse

 

26 thoughts on “Garden Escape”

  1. This is absolutely stunning, Rob! I love the smooth progression of this one and the way it melts my heart especially; “and in this peaceful quiet there would be no long farewells no broken hearts at least not yours.”

    I am so sorry, I had to remove your link, as according to the rules we are not allowed to link poetry to Prosery Monday.

        1. Thank you Sanaa. Sorry I dropped the ball Monday, trying to post the link on Prosery day. I had juggled with that line all day. When It finally fell in place I lost the fact of what the form was supposed to be. It had started there but had evolved.. and I lost ghe framework.

  2. I like the way that the poem flows, reminiscing of sentimental movie scenes. It makes me feel like the lady protagonist will not be happy, for she does not treat others nice, gives hurt but craves bliss.
    I enjoyed reading your poetical tale.

  3. Rob, I really enjoyed hearing you read this today. I like the way she came in through one entrance but left by the casino cashier’s way as she “cashed out” and took your heart with her. I can really relate to this one with some past old flames.

  4. This is a fantastic and heartbreaking story ¨telling… and as you said in the live session a composite of several episodes.

    1. Thank you very much Ron… 🙂 this essentials for this scene were played out years ago, in a ski lodge in Colorado, not a casino. Glad you liked my abandoned man. So sorry your back is kicking your ass my friend. I get it in my sciatica every few months. Hangs around for usually a week. Excruciating. Get better dude!

  5. Beware the movie star who thinks she served up the final edit when in reality there is a happy ending to her story that involves you ~~~ and her.

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