The Gate

Sitting here alone at the airport,

at sleepy o'clock in the morning

my mind resists,

but too weak -

invariably falls back

to the last time I was here.

Opening a poison Pandora's box

of treacherous memories,

small, glistening emeralds

so beautiful.

So painful...

Illicit meetings in the park,

rolling kisses in the grass,

risqué texts in the night;

coffee-fuelled,

world-changing conversations,

croissants semi-clothed on the terrace.

Life without complications -

culinary experiments on your one ring hob,

the orange glow of homemade candles,

walking Sammy arm-in-arm,

laughing with the other dogs,

running on the sandy beach,

trying to find our shoes,

slipping deep into warm midnight waters,

the distant fireworks beyond.

Singing our hearts in perfect harmony,

in the talent competition -

and scooping the top prize! Ha!

Crazy nights beneath the covers,

pulling me into the shower

with my clothes on -

water everywhere...

Finally arriving at the airport,

at sleepy o'clock in the morning.

Playing games with the faces,

laughing on the escalators -

drunk on sleep deprivation,

sex and life.

Then we came to the gate.

We kissed and said goodbye -

See you in 10 days!

I walked away.

And when I looked back,

you were looking back too.

And something happened in that silent, distant exchange,

through the slow, blurry crowds

that we weren't privy to -

Our hearts said farewell,

for they knew

we would never be that way again.

I miss you. x

Reviews

[LA Lorena]

Okay, you've really gone and done it this time. Been there, done that, and as God is my witness, I soooo understand this. This really struck a chord with me you b*****d. Left wondering how can someone that one has never met or spoken to be privy to our own thoughts and emotions, ones that we have never even admitted to ourselves? Get thee the Hell out of my head sir! Even I don't dare to tread there! ;)

An amazing, affecting write C.R. It's going in my favourites pronto!

[C.R.Turner]

Ha! Thanks LA. Perhaps most people have just these kinds of memories locked away in their lumber rooms, never to be brought out in daylight! Glad you liked it! :)

[kimmy]

oh my god this was just so awesome. Being with someone that is in sync with you is great and if a person is lucky enough to find a person keep that person:) I liked the part where both said byes and looked back. I think when someone does leave, no matter the reason; things seem to change a bit.
Very good writing and I jus fell in love with this poem:)

[C.R.Turner]

Wow thanks Kimmy! Yes, time heals, but is also great at f*****g things up too! :D Thanks for the rev!