At the window

A Buddha moon bellies upon the clouds

And with the staccato echo of heels on concrete

I hurry to my window, for it was the sound

of when once you came home

In that time when I knew love by your name.

The street below, patterned in the circles of street lamps

With glistening puddles from the afternoon rain

Speaks of emptiness except for one figure

Walking slowly, face down, hands shoved into raincoat pockets

Frantically I lift the stubborn window and call, “Annette!”

 

She pauses, marvelously captured in light and shadow

And lifts her eyes to my face and smiles

It is not you. It never is. But she smiles as if knowing

My thoughts and torments. She smiles and shrugs

And walks on but with paces telling that she is like me

And has nowhere to go except into yesterdays

When all the wonders were born that now

Slowly die within us, for nothing is as cold as sorrow.

And I retreat into myself and pen the false idols of words

As if syllables were serums and hyphens were hope

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[audrie]

This certainly sounds like a painful experience. I have thought I've recognized a past lover and had it turn out to be no one special to me. I have spent endless amounts of time just wishing that I would run into that special someone in hopes that our crossing paths might just rekindle the lost love that was once there. I ran into an ex boyfriend once and I quickly went the other way. I had ended the relationship because he was a drug addict. He ended up seeing me and had the look in his eyes that told me he desperately wanted to try and rekindle the flame but I just kept walking. I felt that he was such a dysfunctional person that I had no words for him. I'm still wonder if I might run into an ex that I haven't seen in 20 years - I just keep thinking that if we see each other again we could show each other what wer have evolved into. . . one can only hope!

[DrD]

Sometimes it's hard to let go and sometimes you can't.

[Tina Kline]

A very sad poem. I'm sure most of us have been in this situation.
A very well written poem.

[DrD]

Thank you, Tina. I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you'll return soon.

[Kelly Scheppers]

"for nothing is as cold as sorrow.
And I retreat into myself and pen the false idols of words
As if syllables were serums and hyphens were hope"

Brilliant writing! I'm a fortunate one to have stumbled upon this today!


My best,
Kelly

[DrD]

I visited your work before replying here and found it spectacular. That makes your visit even more of an honor and thank you for the kind words.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It was my pleasure...nice meeting you, Dave!

[Frieda P]

This gave me chills, I adore it from start to finish Dave, you packed a ton of emotion here, stunning read!


100 hyphens of hope

[DrD]

I'm glad this one grabbed you, Frieda. I appreciate you as always.

[Frieda P]

I always feel the ache when you write about her...

[DrD]

Thanks. So do I.

[Alfred Kukitz]

Wonderfully written, the last two lines moved me beyond the ordinariness of reading.

[DrD]

Thank you for visiting and leaving such kind words. I appreciate them deeply.

[Rick r]

From Buddha moon to false idols of words...your syllables create an evocative moment in time. Very good write. One line I had to read and read again. Somehow I couldn't quite get it right. The line:
"...of when once you came home..." I kept tripping over.
Not sure the intent of the structure here. I can't suggest a better way of saying it, but seems somewhat awkward. Just a thought.
Solid ink!

[DrD]

Thanks Rick, I'm glad you stopped by and I appreciate yuur comments.

[Coyote Poetry]

"In that time when I knew love by your name."
I enjoyed the story in the poem. I like the hope and than the realistic ending. No weakness in the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[DrD]

You're always kind in your reviews, CP and I am glad to see you here again.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome. Always a pleasure to read your poetry.

[Parimal Pratyush]

Brilliant diction, great message to have. Thank you for sharing such a great work :D.

[DrD]

Thank you. I'm truly happy you enjoyed this one.

[Moonie]

Wow... I couldn't bring myself to say more simply because I feel enchanted by the emotions the poem holds. We have all been there, and know how it feels. I love the pjrases like" stubborn window", "staccato echo," etc. The alliteration in the las line fits the piece perfectly. Did I just use aliteration too? :)

[DrD]

I'm humbled by your words and am very happy you came to visit. I hope it's not the last time.

[Moonie]

You are welcome, sir. :)

[Jane Dougherty]

nowhere to go except into yesterdays

Brilliant image. Love the alliteration in the last line too.

[DrD]

Thank you, Jane. Haven't seen you here before but I'm glad you came.

[Jane Dougherty]

I haven't been here long. Have only recently begun writing poetry and enjoy it very much. But I have very definite tastes—simple and lyrical. Obscure or pedestrian writing I just don't like. And if I don't like a poem I won't comment. Ergo, if I commented I liked it :)