The Broken Wheel

Love lost at the fair

She came with her sister, and I was glad

It would make my confession less painful

She would be much less likely to be mad

When I tell her I no longer feel love's pull

The Ferris wheel is to be our final ride

She wants to hold my hand and I decline

She glances at me, fears I have something to hide

We settle in and the wheel begins to climb

I take a breath, prepare to speak my piece

As the wheel revolves, lifts us in the air

She whispers 'I need to speak to you...please.

I know what you want, and it's just not fair.'

I can't meet her eyes, can't face her fears

But as much as it hurts, I say 'I'm sorry.'

She bows her head, giving into her tears

As wheel reaches its second story

The tears fall freely as we reach the top

Shiver in the cold, together but alone

With a grinding sound, we come to a stop

The wind rises, chilling us to the bone

We sit in silence atop the broken wheel

I watch her from the other side as she shakes

Despite my desire to leave, I still feel

To see her shiver wracks my heart with aches

I lean over, wrap her in my warm embrace

Her shivering subsides and my heart swells

'I love you,' she rubs my chest with her face

'Losing you would be worse than seven Hells.'

'We're not right for each other,' I lament

'You can't ride a bike with two broken wheels.'

She says 'You don't leave a broken bike on the pavement

You fix it; love, hard work, that's what heals.

Will you try with me, for now? Just for now?'

Before I can answer, the wheel starts to spin

The wind rocks us like waves on a ship's bow

And I remember the good from the way-back-when

I hold her close as we reach solid ground

Love's epiphany reached, deep and profound

Author's Note

Sometimes in break ups, you wind up finding a reason to stay.

Reviews

[richieb]

Jesse, this poem is very well written. I read it to my wife and she affirmed it. Your use of the Ferris wheel works well in your verse. Breaking up is a most unpleasant chore, I never handled it well no matter which side of the fence I was on. Being married for 34 years I have not had to worry about it. Richie.

[Jesse W.]

Congratulations on your marriage Richie! I'm glad your wife approved it :) I enjoyed using the Ferris wheel as a visual medium, so glad you did as well :)

[Emily]

I loved it!!
Great poem!
Keep up the great work!!

[Jesse W.]

Thanks Emily, I appreciate it :)

[Ruth]

Wow...I love this...so many people give up instead of working on love...the whole scene is vivid and touching Jesse :)

[Jesse W.]

You're very right, that's why I wanted to make this one a story that begins in a bad space but ends in a good one. Thank you :)