He has kept it locked for so long
the horror of that night
holds the seal tight
the memory riveted
securely barring entry
none can pass
his bitter resolve
makes certain none will try
this is a dark forbidden place
high-walled
cold and barren
unyielding
lifeless
a wasteland of the lost
inhabited by the dead
the gate grown over
by a tangle of grief and anger
any memory
of a once vital presence
of a living breath
of warmth
of joy
forever gone
brutal night has fallen long ago
that no sun can penetrate
the blackness soothes him
he retreats into its depths
embraces its lightless void
hiding
sulking
shielded from any possibility
of further pain or remorse
he is unfeeling
safely lifeless
but see
a shadow
falls across the threshold
someone approaches
a comely being
warm and alive
lays gentle siege
threatening to breach
his hardened fortress
but
this lovely creature
fair and fragile
can not possibly gain entrance
must not
he will resist
he must
this is wrong
this is trespass
this is cruel betrayal
of his lost beloved
he has no right
to leave this place of sorrow
to step into the light
no right
he will lock the memory tight
the key he will not surrender
he is a man of broken dreams
the key protects his broken heart
he will not succumb
*
rob kistner © 2022
Poetry at: dVerse
I am a rock, I am an island…I don’t believe in friendship, friendship causes pain, its laughter and its loving I disdain…
We all know he’s an idiot. Poor guy.
Probably a lonely idiot Sarah, who cannot deal with a broken heart — so he’s made a radical decision in his way of coping. Yes, poor guy indeed. 🙁
I love the poignancy with which this poem is penned, Rob!
Thank you Sanaa… 🙂
Oh dear, he will miss out because of his resolve to not give love a chance once again. So sad…
Unfortunately it happens Carol.
How sad to be unable to escape that prison!
Many are trapped in their own way Ingrid.
Reading this out loud gave me a true impression of just how intense your words are.
Dark, but totally understandable.
It was a honor to have had you read this piece so honest and connected to the words Ken — thank you very much. I loved the depth imbedded in the tanka of yours that I read. So much said in the tdnderness snd melancholy of the piece.