The Dark Hill

When the last light of day has slunk into the shadows
And the remnants of happiness lay shattered on the floor,
I will walk with you, for the final time
Up to my dark hill, once more.

There, we will linger to watch the death of our passion
Creeping away, like a demon, into the misery of the night.
No fighting back now, no tearful regrets
Just the inevitability of passing and neither of us being right.

Sweet contemplation of all things that have passed by me now
Feelings of futility, such an utterly pointless exercise.
I bathe in the one-sidedness of my consuming affection
And dwell, momentarily, on my relinquished prize.

I gave my heart to you, intact and beating, for your peace and protection
To help keep you warm on nights when you were cold and alone.
You took it, along with so many other things offered,
But never once welcomed it into your home.

It shrivelled in the darkness, untouched, unloved and unwanted,
Merely gathering dust whilst left by itself.
Never to feel the warmth of your wanting or your desire
Forlornly sitting up there,  alone on a shelf.

But now, in the moonlight, atop the dark hill here,
My sorrow is replaced by a knowledge, so plain
That there really is someone out there, just waiting for me
Who craves my heart to help keep him sane.

So tonight, I shall not cry for the death of this unrequited passion
These feelings will not devour me or fill me with fear.
I shall be calm as I remain on the dark hill,
Alone for the moment, though my true love is near.

I thought you were the answer to all of my heartfelt prayers.
Just another thing, these days, that I seem to be wrong about.
But with a wistful smile, dancing across my lips
I shall alleviate all doubt.

So, for one final time, we sit atop this place
Silence deafening us as we are engulfed in the night, so still
I watch you as you descend into oblivion
Leaving me alone atop the dark hill.
 

Copyright © Victoria Preston, 2009
All Rights Reserved