he lies down in bed
her ghost lay beside him
what once held warmth
now holds only silence

she said she’d never do it
but sometimes people change
not for the better, sadly
maybe it’s just a phase

i’ve seen this view a time or two
though never quite the same
across the lake the skyline sinks
to meet the fading flame

hope, come back
why can’t you stay?
time to myself
feels like a cage…

years together dissipate
it only took one call
we each agreed
we each had needs
i asked if we could stall

from high to low
it changes quick
no pills this time
will do the trick

she let her heart pour out of her
it puddled on the floor
he stood and watched - sentiment lost
then he walked right out the door

she smiles politely
says kind things
surrounded by friends
she seems so alluring

but it’s all superficial
each day comes and goes
though no one’s the wiser
she’s on the edge of her toes

you once needed me. i stood tall. life held everything in front of us. we’d run until we fall. tripping, missing steps. we’d forge ahead through quicksand. it dragged us under so slowly. years passed and i lost sight. of all that truly matters. but now i see the light.

an ancient creature
millions of years
and she persists
each egg brings life
small, delicate
born into her first form
the caterpillar