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
Very nicely done, Rob! I liked this reflection in your words:
and the abandoned man
in the leather chair
had my face
Thank you Dwight… 🙂
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.
That’s fine Sanaa. I had forgotten it was supposed to be prosery. I will post it for OLN. ???????????
I so loved your reading of the poem today at Open Link Live, Rob! It was very moving 🙂
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.
“like a prodigal sun”
Interesting
Much????love
Little play on words Gillena. Prodigal, as in generous. Didn’t see you online today?
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.
Thank you Oloriel, appreciate the gracious words… 🙂
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.
Thank you Lisa. As I said today, this is a composite emotional reaction to several past romantic situations. I did a bit of roll reversal as well.
This is a fantastic and heartbreaking story ¨telling… and as you said in the live session a composite of several episodes.
I lived many years as a free spirit musician, so I have a deep well of relational tales — some not so deep.
Some will never be fodder for my writing… 🙂
Loved this Rob, and the surprise line from Monday’s prompt made me smile. This is an elegant reflection, I enjoyed it.
Thank you very much Chris. The line seemed to settle in there comfortably… 🙂 …appreciate your kind words my friend.
Love this work, Rob, esp the abandoned man / leather chair tercet. Great to hear you read it, too. Cheers.
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!
Very cinematic, full of vivid images.
My mind is a movie Kerfe, can’t override it… 🙂
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.
Me thinks the movie is never really a wrap Helen, until the reel finally runs out… 😉
A movie within in a poem…well done Rob!
JIM
Thank you Jim… 🙂
I’m so sorry for this very late response, Rob. Last week just got crazy.
I loved hearing you read. I like the way you worked the prosery prompt line into this.
Thank you Merril — I understand busy & crazy… 😉 …thank you for visiting and reading, I always appreciate it… 🙂