Unawaited

For a Writers, Fighters, Caffeine-Inspired All-Nighters contest on 'returning'.

 

Key bites in like

Well-oiled precision,

Despite sitting on his bookshelf

For the past ten years;

Some mystical relic.

 

He checks over shoulder

For the token nosy neighbour

Before following through

And stepping inside.

 

Inhales sharply; a pause –

Eyes involuntarily closed,

Wondering whether the stories

Will be veiled or on show.

 

Photographic differences

Are the first thing to register:

His absence framed by

Rectangular emptiness;

Evidence of little sister’s

Graduation; christmasses missed.

 

Takes off his shoes - the result

Of operant conditioning, not

Professionalism - before entering

The living room;

Both TV and couch are new.

 

Ghosts of arguments, tangible

As nicotine stains. Get out

Of my sight. Don’t bother coming back.

Starts to crumble; clenches tears

With his eyebrows. Time to retreat.

 

Got past the hallway: further than yesterday.

Author's Note

In response to a writing prompt on the WPFCIAN group forum; nothing special, I know, but it's been a long day and at least I managed something. Been a bit blocked lately.

Reviews

[Emily B]

oh, wow! It is special. You drew me into a story. I could see this man. His reticence at facing his own past. Wonderful stuff!!!!

[John Morris]

This is good, the choice of words and layout does not seem to make sense at points but apart from that a good poem.