The dream broke
like a prodigal sun
on a startled spring evening
causing him to squint
blinking away happiness
like sand
in the eyes of love
you were there
on the shores of sadness
you broke the news
you took his keys
you took your leave
then you took his shoes
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
no broken hearts
at least
not yours
in love’s roulette
and the stranded man
in the leather chair
had my face
had no expectations
made no demands
held you responsible
for nothing
and you left the table
cashed in your winnings
climbed the winding stairs
silk purse in hand
his heart was in your pocket
to place it at midnight
on your balcony sill
to watch it wither
in the moonlight
he had no need for it
nor most certainly
did you
as the night lark sang
a silver tear
had fallen hard
from his sullen cheek
which you collected
in a sterling box
and tossed into the sea
*
rob kistner © 2022
Poetry at: The Sunday Muse
~ If ya’ gotta lil’ mo’ time, here’s a lil’ mo’ Tom. Yessa’ if ya’ ain’t lates, here’s ‘nother taste — a full snifta’ o’ Mista’ Waits. ~
Lost love and unrequited love can be like a knife in the heart. Your poem certainly captured that loss Rob. Always glad to see you at the Muse.
Thank you Carrie! 🙂
Always fine wordmastery here!
Always appreciate that you visit Bev. Love to hear a real honest voice.
.. a different movie with a different ending! Seven words that signal sadness and loss. Great poetry ~~ music selections .. stellar!
Thank you Helen! How often do we feel that way, even when we think we got it right. We second guess ourselves to death!
Rob, it is pain compounded upon pain a brand of callousness that has been both felt from others and also meted out. The stages and the roles vary but the story feels the same. Why do humans operate in such fashion? Other critters don’t have nearly the problems with it that we do.
Because we are all terrified — to be wrong, to be alone, to be misunderstood — just terrified… that is why we act the way we do.
“like a prodigal sun” – fantastic, LOL!
🙂 😉
The imagery in this was amazing–the heart like flowers on the edge of the balcony, the feeling of love as a casino, as a game, as a show. A compelling poem.
Thank you Chrissa… 🙂
Damn, that is sad….I know the feeling…weary from the journey a fool, perhaps, who still believes in possibility.
How are you my friend?
I am good True, thank you. 🙂
Rob, sometimes, I wonder if is there is a script writer out in the universe somewhere? If so, I want to talk to the editor as I would like make some changes for a better outcome in life. Love should never be a game of win or lose…sigh…
I hear you True, but sadly it plays out that way far too often — winner and loser… sad.
saw yourself
in a different movie
with a different ending
One way to wash away the shackles of uncertainties by doing our own thing in the face of challenges. Rightly so Rob!
Hank
Absolutely Hank!
This is a powerful description of a broken heart. So well written, Rob. I, too, noted the lines about a different movie, different ending.
Thank you Sherry! 🙂
Teared up over this one, Rob.
I love,
“you were there
on the shores of sadness”
Perfect line.
Thank you Sara — 🙂
“his heart ………
to watch it wither
in the moonlight”
and then the tear thrown in the water… in a sterling box… but in the water…
Preserving the heart as a momento. She prized the fact that the could make him cry, but she didn’t care to keep the tears.