Fools On A Gray Autumn Day

 Fools On A Gray Autumn Day

Standing here in the silence of a gray, lackluster day

We briefly glance into somber eyes, then turn and look away

You clear your throat and smooth your coat

Your body blocks the sun

I wait to hear your footsteps retreat; I expect to hear them run

But they don't walk and you don't talk

No words spill from your mouth

But heartbeats break the silent roar

That the heart cannot pour out.

Your big hand reaches for my small

That's buried in my pocket

And with the other I undo the clasp

On the sterling silver locket

That holds the picture of the love we shared until today

I put it in your empty hand and still I do not say

Unsaid words that serve no purpose; for they cannot change a thing

And the unshed tears bring no release but blind us by their sting.

Goodbye, it is a joke and lie, it expresses no sincere thought

For what is good about the bye? Just another moment bought

An autumn leaf falls on your shoulder from an almost barren tree

And I think the bright red leaf is you and the barren tree is me

We watch a V formation of snow geese on the wing

Flying through the skies above to find another Spring.

One last throat clearing, one last hand clasp

Your lips meet mine once more and last

The saddest smile I've ever seen touches your eyes with tear bright gleam

Hands pull apart, eternity ends

Eyes close on memories of there and then

We walk in different directions now and don't look back, somehow, somehow.

The tears held back, now fall like rain down heartbroken faces that drown in pain

And each, we shout  unsaid words then and hear them stolen by the thieving wind

At the edge of the park, I think I'll turn to see if you're there ( I never learn))

I pray that you're running on swift feet to me but I never turn and I never see

And you walk on toward the ocean of blue

And wonder if I am now running toward you.

Your heart beating fast as the locket you grasp

With it's picture of you and of me

But I'm walking and crying and waiting for you to follow

As the locket is thrown into the sea.

© by Voo

November 19, 2005

3 p.m.