Patricia's Compromise
Is this how Patricia felt
Standing on the sidelines
Watching her man
Love another woman?
Watching what once was
A bonfire now die
To slow burning coals
Knowing that there is nothing
She can do
To prevent the last of breaths
Fade to ashes
There was so much
That could’ve been said,
Could’ve have been done
But we were never brave
Enough to clasp in our hands so daintily
Whatever had value, if not monetary then sentimental
To lodge in our gyri documented moments of what was worthy of a smile
If only time were a playground and all we needed to do was play
For hands to slow dance back in moments that we let slip away
Maybe than we’ll say whatever lay floating on our lungs
In that one exaggerated breath for even in fast rewind
Time would never be on our side,
Now here we are with miscarried dreams
And ectopic hopes, folding back on themselves
Too frightened to bring forth life
The skeletons of a murdered past
Hang in my closet
Still need to shovel up courage to cremate them
So is this how Patricia felt
When she stood and watched how her man
Loved another woman?
(2013)
