How Ya Doin'?

I live now in a small garage
at times still half again too big.
It's not your style, a bit unkempt;
perhaps a bit too much like me.

Clean dishes jumbled by the sink,
not neatly stacked and filed away.
The desk astrewn with books and bills;
clothes all slag-heaped by the bed.

Makes sense, for I'm the one who left
to you the well-maintained facade
of stockade fence and painted trim
which most would call a happy home.

I left you ten thousand things,
careful not to take too much; but
find myself amazed by all
that moved in which I did not pack.

The touch of legs upon my lap
I found while sitting on the couch.
Your smile was wrapped in Sunday's Times
and wedged in with the bowls and cups.

Your hair blows up against my arm
as I drive with the window down,
and hear you sound asleep beside
me as the droning motor runs.

When our paths crossed tonight, we spoke
a moment, went our separate ways.
Walking past the shut-down shops, 
I thought of how we fell apart

and everything that came with me
that I took pains not to include
and smiled to myself, wondering
what I had left for you to find.

(c)2000 Joel M Frye

Reviews

[.......]

Your smile was wrapped in Sunday's Times
and wedged in with the bowls and cups.

I loved these lines here, I love the whole write, thought it was kind of moving really as well made me think a bit about my life. Wonderful write!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

this gave me chills Joel, this place that many find themselves in when they part ways in a relationship. Excellent

[LA Lorena]

Memories have a way of trailing after us, even when we just wish they'd leave us the hell alone.