Broken Promises

Broken Promises

Crackling autumn leaves,
So ironically vibrant in death,
Rustle in the bitter night wind
Brushing angrily against my window,
As they waft to the frigid earth beneath.

I’ll rake them tomorrow…
Tonight I will mourn them.

A fire dies languidly behind me,
Embers popping with faded glory,
As I pull back the drapes.
I gaze up at the star-spangled heavens
Searching for comfort, for peace.

They say it may snow tomorrow…
But, it won’t…a broken promise.

I packed up the remnants of my life,
Gently, I wrapped your ring
And placed it in a miniature box..
I cannot bear it on my finger,
Encircling the life-line to my heart.

I’ll leave tomorrow afternoon
After I rake the leaves.

My mother tells me to stay.
She says I dwell on you too much.
My sister says I will get over you in time
And move on with my life.
They all think I’m crazy.

People stare at me and shake their heads
In pity for what they don’t understand.

You were my world, my life.
Without you, I am only me..
A fragment of nothingness
You left behind in your journey.
Another broken promise…

One more stop to make, a final good-bye...
As I lay a rose on your grave and talk to a stone…