I waited for you in the shady avenue
Lined by tall trees, where you had said you would come
Their leaves waving gently in the breeze, our poplars…
In ‘the cool of the evening’, yesterday.
You went by, I did not see you.
Only heard my name being whispered by someone on the breeze.
My despair seemed reflected in the darkening clouds
And the failing light of the soon coming night.
I said in my mind: Rose, you can’t ever live
Separate from me and my thorny bush
Though you had gone away saying
You will NOT come back
The last time we met.
Been there, Done that: How many times!
Then, searching for me
You found me at last
& said bye, angrily
To rush off in the dark
I had missed you again, by mischance
I called and called, in a sweat, after you
So you
Came back
Briefly
To bid
Me
Goodnight
In my arms
We play this game, again and again
Parting and reuniting
Each time, I fear
Has the thread worn itself too thin
Will it snap, this time, finally, to be tied again, never?
Each time you say
Or I say – ne’er more!
But we cannot wait
To start it all o’er again
The night without stars
Or moon, or the day
Without sun
Can’t be more forlorn
Than we without each other.
Yet we don’t stop
These constant fights.
It too goes on
For behind it lies:
The taste of wine that is made – from crushed grapes.
The laughter that comes – after unshed tears.
The beauty of a swan sailing – in stormy waters.
Love is not love if it is not stormy.
You know it but are loath to admit it.
Adieu, armful, till the next time we meet.
May there be to our story alone ne’er a last parting.
